Olive tea – Main health benefits of the drink

You certainly know the olive tree, after all, it is what produces olives that are used to make olive oil. However, not everyone is familiar with the medicinal properties of the olive plant. Olive tea, made from the dried leaves of the tree, has been linked to weight loss and many other health benefits.

A Olea europaea L, the scientific name of the olive tree, is a tree found in abundance in the Mediterranean Sea region and also in northern Iran. Being part of the oleaceae family, this plant, in addition to providing fruits that are widely used for various purposes, also has leaves that can be used to make tea. This is because its leaves contain antioxidant properties, olein, palmitic acid, cholesterin, benzoic acid and mannitol, among others.

Therefore, several studies regarding the effectiveness of tea show that it is capable of bringing several health benefits, among the main ones, helping with the weight loss process. Let’s find out everything this drink can do.

Benefits of olive tea

Olive tea is very popular lately, and not by chance. Studies related to the drink have revealed that it can be a great ally for good health, even helping to treat cancer.

Helps in the weight loss process

This is by far one of the main reasons for the search for this tea in recent times. Thanks to the polyphenols present in olive leaves, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, the drink helps to reduce insulin resistance. Furthermore, it contributes to an improvement in energy metabolism.

Therefore, as there is less insulin in circulation, there is also less fat accumulation in the abdominal region. Therefore, if the intention is to lose weight, combining a healthy diet and physical activity, regular consumption of olive tea can promote the weight loss process.

Improves digestion

Regularly consuming the drink can help treat stomach problems, such as irritative and inflammatory disorders such as heartburn, gastritis, colitis and peptic ulcers, as well as indigestion. Furthermore, olive tea can also be used to wash the stomach in cases of poisoning and also to soothe irritated mucosa, accelerating the elimination of corrosive agents.

Diuretic drink

Olive tea contains oleuopein, a diuretic property that helps reduce tissue edema and fluid retention. Therefore, the drink helps eliminate toxins, combating body swelling. Furthermore, these properties also help with weight loss and preventing urinary stones. It can also be used to treat liver and gallbladder problems.

Reduces blood pressure

As it helps to relax blood vessels, consequently causing vasodilation and reducing blood pressure, olive tea can be used in cases of hypertension. And more than that, in cases of arrhythmias and angina, as well as other problems of circulatory origin, the drink can be very beneficial.

Olive tea helps in the treatment of osteoporosis

Olive leaves are rich in oleuopein, an antioxidant with properties capable of stimulating the activity of cells that generate bones, called osteoblasts. Therefore, olive tea helps prevent the loss of bone mass that occurs naturally with the aging process and osteoporosis.

Good for flu and colds

Nothing better than tea to treat colds and flu, a natural and very effective option in these cases. Olive tea is also very good for this purpose, as it helps with sweating, and consequently in regulating body temperature, reducing fever. Furthermore, the hot drink also helps to relieve dry coughs and treat laryngitis, among other respiratory tract infections.

Olive tea prevents premature aging

The premature aging process occurs due to increased levels of free radicals, which affect cells, tissues and organs, and impair metabolism. So, as olive tea is rich in a huge variety of antioxidants, it helps prevent premature aging, even being more effective than green tea.

Hepatoprotective action

Olive leaf tea has a cardioprotective effect, as it helps reduce chronic inflammation and cholesterol oxidation. Furthermore, it relaxes the arteries and improves microcirculation. Olive tea also protects the liver, preventing the organ from accumulating fat. So, with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, it helps protect the body’s cells, improving the immune system’s response.

Good for the skin

Olive tea can also be used to treat skin problems such as boils, eczema, herpes, dry skin and burns. And more than that, the drink can also be used as a mouthwash, ideal for treating bleeding gum infections and also for relieving a sore throat.

Helps in cancer treatment

Because it is rich in antioxidants, olive tea strengthens cell membranes, leaving them less susceptible to destruction by free radicals. Therefore, it can help in the treatment of cancer, reducing the tumor and delaying aging.

Considerations about olive tea

With so many health benefits listed above that olive tea provides, you may be wondering if it has any side effects. The answer is: rarely. What can happen in cases of allergies or excessive consumption of the drink is arterial hypotension, changes in the liver and gallbladder and diarrhea.

As for preparing the drink, it’s basically how all other teas are made. Just boil the water and add the dried olive leaves, strain and sweeten if necessary. The tea can be drunk several times a day.

Anyway, what did you think of this article? In fact, take the opportunity to also check out Matchá – What it is, benefits, contraindications and how to consume it.

Sources: A Revista da Mulher Tua Saúde

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