Most people are familiar with olive oil and the health benefits that it offers to the body. However, not as many people might be familiar with the benefits of olive leaves.
Like with olive oil, the leaves also come from olive trees known as Olea Europaea. People can consume olive leaves as an extract and it is available in powder or herbal tea form.
Olive leaf is a supplement whereas olive oil is classified as a food ingredient.
The recommended dosage for consuming olive leaves is between 500 and 1,000 mg. You don’t need to take it all at once. It is better to spread the dosage throughout the day.
If it is your first time taking olive leaf extract, you should start taking just 500 mg per day and then gradually work your way up to 1,000 mg.
This will ensure that the health benefits stay with you for as long as possible.
Below are the top 10 benefits of olive leaf extract.
Enhances Cardiovascular Health
The heart gets damaged when its cells start to die, usually from oxidative stress.
There is a chemical compound in olive leaves called oleuropein which preserves the heart cells and prevents any further damage to the heart.
This will ultimately reduce your risk of heart failure as you get older.
Reduces Blood Pressure
Like with cardiovascular health, the oleuropein in olive leaves can lower blood pressure and reduce a rapid heart rate as well.
If you can keep your blood pressure low on a regular basis, it will prevent future heart problems and a condition called hypertension.
Prevents Diabetes
Olive leaves can prevent or even reverse diabetes because its oleuropein will regulate the glucose levels in the blood and restore them back to normal.
It does this by stimulating the insulin sensitivity in the body.
Prevents Cancer
Recent scientific studies have found that olive leaves can eliminate bone cancer cells.
Not only that, the leaves can stop these cancer cells from multiplying into larger numbers and spreading throughout the body.
Reduces & Prevents Inflammation
Inflammation can exist anywhere in the body. It can cause redness, swelling, and even pain.
Fortunately, olive extract is an anti-inflammatory supplement because of its oleuropein chemical compound. These anti-inflammatory effects have already been studied on skin injuries, bone marrow, and kidneys.
Enhances Cognitive Abilities
Olive leaves contain phenolic compounds like oleocanthal and oleuropein aglycone which could possibly prevent or stop the growth of brain disease.
When people get Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of amyloid diseases, it is due to certain proteins building up in the brain tissue which cause inflammation.\
Olive leaves will stop these proteins from causing this inflammation.
Eliminates Toxins and Free Radicals
Olive extract has natural antioxidant properties which can eliminate free radicals and toxins in the body.
This will stop oxidative damage to be inflicted upon the brain, kidneys, blood, and liver.
Fights Against Bacteria, and Fungus
Studies show that olive extract can prevent the growth of bacteria in the body. Its oleanolic acid and aglycone will not kill or prevent bacteria, but they will stop its growth.
As for fungus, the hydroxytyrosol in olive extract can prevent or stop the growth of that as well.
Better Bone Density
As people get older, they naturally lose bone density. Olive extract will boost the production of bone cells, thanks to its oleuropein chemical compound.
This can reduce your chances of developing osteoporosis or arthritis.
Promotes Weight Loss
Anyone struggling with obesity or excessive weight may find olive leaf extract to be beneficial. The oleuropein in olive leaves can stop the body from creating additional fat cells.
Also, the pre-fat cells in the body are stopped before they become fully grown fat cells.
T his is thanks to the hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein in the olive leaves.
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