Olives are something that many people can’t imagine their lives without. The fact is that olives are a particular decorative element for many dishes. Apart from that, they have that distinctive taste that many adore. Yet, those are not the only benefits that olives possess. Depending upon the variety they come with many health benefits as well.

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Today we are going to discuss a type of olives that carries the name Kalamata olives. This type of olives grows in Greece only and aside from their exquisite taste they can cure several disorders. In case you feel curious about this olives, read on to learn more!

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What Are Kalamata Olives

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Of course, we are going to start our survey by stating what are kalamata olives. It is not that difficult to guess that they are named after the city of their origin – Kalamata. The olives are almond-shaped, and the shade varies from dark brown to dark purple. It needs to be mentioned that this kind of olives is usually bigger than all the others.

When it comes to the taste, it is also distinctive and peculiar, to put it simply they have a stronger olive taste compared to all the other sorts of olives. You should be aware of the fact that it is not advised to consume them right after they are harvested since they taste quite bitter.

In case you wonder are kalamata olives good for you now, then you should keep reading!

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Kalamata Olives Nutrition

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To begin with, we are going to state kalamata olives nutrition. For 100 grams, Kalamata olives offer 240 calories, 1 gram of carbohydrates, 2 grams of protein and 23 grams of fat.

Even though most energy comes from the amount of fat in olives, most fat is from oleic acid, which is a type of omega-9 fatty acid. This means that it is a good type of fat that can help you deal with a number of health issues easily.

It needs to be mentioned that Kalamata olives contain iron, calcium, vitamin A, copper, fiber and sodium. As you may already know, these elements are essential to your body’s function.

You need to be also aware of the fact that most benefits come from the plant-based compounds of those olives. These compounds are antioxidants, which help to reduce disease risk and improve your health.

Health Benefits

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Now, it is time to disclose all the important health benefits of kalamata olives for you to keep in mind while considering whether including the olives into your diet or not.

Antioxidants

It has been already mentioned that Kalamata olives have antioxidant properties. The hydroxytyrosol is that essential antioxidant that is more powerful than green tea. This means that if you consume these olives on a regular basis you will be able to prevent damage caused by oxidative stress and eliminate heavy metal ions and toxic intermediates from your body.

Weight Loss

The fact is that the phytochemicals in the olives can prevent the accumulation of lipids and fats in the body. This means that if you include them in a moderate amount into your weight loss diet, you may fasten the process.

Neurodegenerative Disorders

Kalamata olives prevent lipid peroxidation and formation of undesirable derivatives in the body too. This means that the consumption of the olives can also prevent the formation of fat or triglyceride deposits like amyloid plaques in the brain and neuronal sheath. To put it simply if you eat them regularly you can save your brain and brain cells from inflammation and possible destruction.

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Impacts On Cancer

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It is true, that we have already figured the answer to the question - are kalamata olives healthy – they certainly are.

It is time to discuss such facts that most of you will find more than interesting. The truth is that such issues like cancer are better to be prevented at all costs. It turns out that the consumption of these olives has a positive impact on the prevention of cancer.

The recent researches prove that Kalamata olives can not only prevent cancer but also come in more than helpful when it comes to treating the issue.

Oleocanthal is a compound of olives, and it is said that it promotes cancer cell death. That is why you should add olives to your healthy diet.

Heart Disease Risk

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Apart from the cancer risk reduction, there is another health issue that Kalamata olives can help you with. The fact is that the consumption of these olives adds up to the reduction of heart disease risk as well.

Olives reduce LDL oxidation, decrease LDL cholesterol levels, improve the function of HDL, lower oxidative stress and increase endothelial function. All the stated above factors add up to one another and help you prevent the heart disease.

What is more, olives can also reduce inflammation which in the long run affects the possibility of heart disease positively as well.

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Antioxidant Advantages

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We have already mentioned that Kalamata olives are a great source of antioxidants. However, some of you may be unaware of the fact of what that actually means. That is why we are going to have a closer look at this antioxidant peculiarity that the olives offer.

Some surveys claim that those antioxidant elements can influence memory improvement as well as they can decrease anxiety.

What is more, antioxidants can also prevent unhealthy aging and protect your health in general.

These facts prove that Kalamata olives are greatly beneficial to your health in moderate amounts.

Side Effects Of Kalamata Olives

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Of course, we can’t finish our research without pointing out whether or not there are any side effects to these otherwise healthy olives.

The truth is that no survey states these olives to be harmful to your health. There are no components that can lead to harmful overdose.

However, if you suffer from hypertension, you need to monitor your olives intake, since the high sodium level may worsen your condition.

Even if you do not have any health conditions that can interfere with the olive intake, you need to bear it in mind that your daily sodium intake is 2300 mg. Since every serving of kalamata olives has about 110-150 mg of sodium, the most you can have daily are 4-5 olives. Stick to this amount of olives daily, and you will only serve yourself good!

Kalamata olives are a special type of olives that you need to be fully informed about. Read on to learn everything from health benefits and origin of this olive to their side effects! If you like eating kumquat you can read about kumquat benefits.

FAQ: Kalamata Olives

Are Kalamata olives and black olives the same?

Black olives are a family of olives, so Kalamata subspecies belong to it. They, however, differ from table olives that are well-known to us. Kalamata olives are bigger in size, have a milder taste and are much softer than usual black table olives.

How many Kalamata olives should I eat a day?

It is recommended to consume up to 2–3 ounces (56–84 grams) which equals about 16–24 small- to medium-sized olives daily in order to get the necessary saturated fat intake. However, it is worth remembering that olives contain a lot of salt and fat, which will not benefit your health.

How do kalamata olives taste?

Kalamata olives have a distinct almond shape and a deep purple-black color that is very appealing. They taste just as good as they look. Kalamatas are hand slit after picking and cured in a red wine vinegar brine, which gives them a fruity, wine-like flavor.

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