For people with high cholesterol, it is important to maintain a diet that will help reduce the amount of cholesterol in your body. Olives and olive oil, known for their monounsaturated fats, can help you lower your LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. This type of bad cholesterol can build up in your bloodstream and cling to the walls of your arteries, which can later lead to a condition called atherosclerosis.
The antioxidant Vitamin E is found in olives and can prevent cholesterol from building up and damaging your arteries. An olive contains more antioxidants if it has not been processed much, such as the ones that are used in extra-virgin olive oil. Olives and extra virgin oil also contain polyphenols, which helps to maintain a healthy heart.
To improve your overall health and LDL levels, you should consider replacing bad fats with unsaturated fats. As a snack, munch on some olives instead of cheese or chips, which are high in saturated fat and terrible for your health. Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil onto vegetables that will be grilled or sautéed. You can even choose to dip a small piece of fresh bread in olive oil instead of lathering it with butter.
Olives have many other amazing health benefits such as lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, preventing diabetes and moisturizing the skin. Continue reading our other blogs to find out more about the health benefits of olives.