Remarkable health benefits of Olive

How many Fruits are mentioned in Quran?

There are several verses in Quran talking about the 6 fruits of Paradise, including; date, olive, pomegranate, grape, banana, and fig.

1. Olive mentioned in Quran

“Olive” in Quran, has been repeated seven times. Also, Surah Al Mumenoon, verse 20, pointed indirectly to a tree which gives oil and grows in Sina Mountain.

“And a tree (olive) that springs forth from Mount Sinai, that grows oil, and (it is a) relish for the eaters.” (Quran 23:20)

“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things.” (Quran 24:35)

“He causes to grow for you thereby the crops, olives, palm trees, grapevines, and from all the fruits. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.” (Quran 16:11)

“By the fig and the olive.” (Quran 95:1)

“And olive and palm trees.” (Quran 80:29)

“And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all things. We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And from the palm trees – of its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] its ripening. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.” (Quran 6:99)

“And He it is who causes gardens to grow, [both] trellised and untrellised, and palm trees and crops of different [kinds of] food and olives and pomegranates, similar and dissimilar. Eat of [each of] its fruit when it yields and give its due [zakah] on the day of its harvest. And be not excessive. Indeed, He does not like those who commit excess.” (Quran 6:141)

“He causes to grow for you thereby the crops, olives, palm trees, grapevines, and from all the fruits. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.” (Quran 16:11)

2. History of Olive

According to estimates, the cultivation of olive tree dates back more than 7000 years. Archaeological evidence indicates that olives were grown commercially in Crete as far back as 3000 BC, by the Minoan civilization. Ancient Greek literature reveals uses of olive oil for body health. In the context of religious importance, olive tree and its fruit (olives) are narrated over several times in the Bible, both in the New and Old Testaments as well as in the Quran.

2.1 Olives used as a Medicine

The olive tree has a long history of medicinal and nutritional values. Over the
centuries, extracts from olive leaf have been used for promoting health and preservation. For instance, ancient Egyptians used the leaves to mummify Pharaohs. Similarly, they have been valued as a famous folk remedy to treat fever and some tropical diseases such as malaria.

3. Worldwide use of Olive

Due to rising awareness about the beneficial effects of optimal nutrition and functional foods among today’s’ health conscious cosmopolitan societies, the worldwide consumption of olives and olive products has increased significantly, especially in high-income countries such as the United States, Europe, Japan, Canada and Australia, resulting in the rapid development of olive-based products. The traditional “Mediterranean diet”, in which olive oil is the main dietary fat, is considered to be one
of the healthiest because of its strong association with the reduced incidence of cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers. [1]

4. Health benefits of Olive

The fruit provides calories; contain significant amounts of plant-derived anti-oxidants, minerals, phytosterols, and vitamins. Olives are a moderate source of calories; 100 g of fruits provide just 115 calories.

4.1 Lowers bad & increases good cholesterol

Olive composes healthy fat in the form of Mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) like
oleic acid (18:1) and palmitoleic acid (16:1) that help lower Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) or “bad cholesterol” and increase High density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good cholesterol” in the blood. [2]

4.2 Fights against Heart Disease and Strokes

Research studies suggest that Mediterranean diet, which is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids help to prevent coronary artery disease and strokes by favoring healthy blood lipid profile. Studies suggest that oleocanthal has ibuprofen Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like anti-inflammatory activities. The Mediterranean diet
that uses olive and its oil may be responsible in part for the lower incidences of coronary artery disease. Olive contains a good amount of vitamin E. [3][4]

4.3 Fights against Cancer & Diabetes

Olive fruit contains tyrosol phenolic compounds such as oleuropein and oleocanthal. These compounds are responsible for its bitter and pungent taste. Oleocanthal, oleuropein, and its derivative hydroxytyrosol are nature’s most powerful anti-oxidants. Together with vitamin E and carotenoids, they play a vital role fighting against cancer, inflammation, coronary artery disease, degenerative nerve diseases, diabetes…etc.

World Health Organization (WHO), recommend that people living in societies with high arteriosclerosis and diabetes rates consume oil that contains at least 30% linoleic acid (present in olives). And this raises the olive’s worth. Olive oil’s most significant health
property is its effects upon cardiac and arterial diseases.

4.4 Good for Breastfeeding Mothers

Linoleic acid in olives is especially useful for breastfeeding mothers. Any deficiency in this acid slows a child’s development and contributes to some skin diseases.[5] Vitamins E, A, D, and K in oil are essential for bone development and mineralization in children and adults. It strengthens bones by stabilizing calcium. Since it contributes to the natural development of the infant’s brain and nervous system before and after birth, the only oil recommended to mothers by specialists is olive oil. Aside from having a level of linoleic acid very close to that of mother’s milk, it functions as a natural source of nourishment as mother’s milk when mixed with non-fat cow’s milk. [6]

Due to all of these features, olive oil has attracted the attention of specialists in recent years. [7]

5. References

[1] Hamid Farhangi, Maryam Ajilian,Masumeh Saeidi,Gholam Hasan Khodaei. Medicinal Fruits in Holy Quran

[2] Covas MIو Nyyssonen K, Poulsen HE. The effect of polyphenols in olive oil on heart disease risk factors. Ann. Int. Med. 2006, 145, 333–431.

[3] Gilani AH, Khan AU, Shah AJ, Connor J, Jabeen Q. Blood pressure lowering effect of olives is mediated through calcium channel blockade. Int. J. Food Sci. Nutr 2005; 56(8): 613–20.

[4] Covas, M.I. Bioactive effects of olive oil phenolic compounds in humans: Reduction of heart disease factors and oxidative damage. Inflammopharmacology 2008, 16, 216–218.

[5] Viola P, Viola M. Virgin olive oil as a fundamental nutritional component and skin protector. Clin. Dermatol 2009, 27, 159–65.

[6] Ghanbari R, Anwar F, Alkharfy KM, Gilani AH, Saari N. Valuable Nutrients and Functional Bioactives in Different Parts of Olive (Olea europaea L.)—A Review. Int. J. Mol. Sci 2012, 13, 3291-3340.

[7] Gilani AH, Khan AU, Shah AJ. Calcium antagonist and cholinomimetic activities explain the medicinal uses of olives in gut disorders. Nutr. Res2006; 26(9): 277–83.