Easy ways to add olives to your diet

Olives are considered a healthy food around the world. Although they are small, they may offer several health benefits from supporting heart health to helping digestion.

Olives contain healthy fats antioxidants and natural plant compounds. When eaten as part of a balanced diet they may help support overall health.

 May support heart health

Olives contain monounsaturated fats especially a type called oleic acid. These healthy fats may support heart health when they replace saturated fats found in foods such as butter and fatty meat.

How to add olives to your diet

Olives are easy to include in everyday meals. You can add them to.

•Salads and sandwiches

•Homemade pizzas

•Pasta dishes

•Rice and other savoury meals

However many packaged olives contain high amounts of sodium because of the salt used during processing. People with high blood pressure should pay attention to portion sizes and choose lower sodium options when possible.

Tips

Olives can be a useful addition to a healthy diet because they provide healthy fats and antioxidants.  However they are not a cure for any disease. Eating them in moderate amounts alongside a balanced diet can help you enjoy their potential health benefits