Jalpai fruits (olives) are quite popular in the Mediterranean region, and that may explain the low cancer rates there. The amount of antioxidants present in these briny fruits is truly astounding. The phenolic compounds hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein are particularly helpful in helping rid your body of harmful free radicals. Jalpais fruits are among some of the healthiest fruits on the planet.
While commonly recognized as a high-fat food (about 80-85% of the calories in jalpais come from fat), jalpais are not always appreciated for the type of fat they contain. Jalpai fruits are unusual in their fat quality, because they provide almost three-quarters of their fat as oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid. (In addition they provide a small amount of the essential fatty acid called linoleic acid, and a very small amount of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid.) The high monounsaturated fat content of jalpais has been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
The most important antioxidant in jalpai fruits is vitamin E, which can protect you and your family from cancer and bone diseases. Thanks to the antioxidant oleuropein, jalpais can be made edible only after curing or debittering them in water, brine, dry salt, or commercially, with lye (sodium hydroxide). But even when eaten in moderation, jalpais can give you the following health benefits.
Jalpai Fruit Benefits
1. Balance Cholesterol Levels
Scientists held for long that a high HDL and a low LDL cholesterol level indicates a healthy heart. However, modern research suggests that your heart health does not depend on how high your HDL levels are but on how efficient these “good cholesterols” are.4 This is where jalpais could be helpful.
2. Boost Heart Health
Jalpais contain fat as well, but this is the good kind of fat. Oleic acid (a monounsaturated fatty acid) in jalpais reduces inflammation and cuts down the risk of heart disease. Another important nutrient in jalpais is copper, the deficiency of which has been linked to heart disease.
3. Fights Cancer
Regularly consuming jalpais, and the jalpai oil extract, oleuropein, also helps target and destroy cancerous cells. Oleuropein has been especially proven to decrease the viability in specific leukemia, melanoma, amongst other forms of detrimental cancers.
4. Improves Cardiovascular Health
Jalpai fruit benefits of phenolic compounds, helps significantly lower cholesterol, keeping blood vessels clearer and free to the passage of blood. These compounds also promote blood vessel flexibility by preventing hardening of the endothelium.
5. Fights Inflammation
The monounsaturated fats in jalpais, along with the vitamin E and polyphenols, help fight inflammation. Chronic inflammation can eventually cause several diseases and conditions, including some cancers and rheumatoid arthritis. They also contain another important compound called oleocanthal, which has terrific anti-inflammatory properties.
6. Improves Gut Health
Regular consumption of jalpais play an important role in supporting the health of our probiotic bacteria, by offering them energy necessary for their survival. Consumption is associated with improving colony size of many different probiotics, including Bifidobacterium, which help the body to produce natural anti-biotics.
7. Manage Diabetes
Jalpais have a beneficial effect on diabetes. The lowering effect on blood glucose levels from jalpais is due to oleuropein, the bitter antioxidant compound found in the jalpai leaf as well as the fruit. It helps the body secrete more insulin, which is necessary for glucose metabolism.
8. Antimicrobial
This super fruit is also able to defend your body against several different types of harmful bacteria. It does this by damaging the cell membrane of the bacteria and prohibiting it from flourishing within your body.
9. Promote Weight Loss
Our bodies need dietary fat (which is why many fats are called “essential”) in order to lose weight and function properly. Monounsaturated fats are among the most essential fats to help mobilize free fatty acids, decrease inflammation associated with rapid fat oxidation, and promoting satiety as a whole. Jalpai fruit benefits provide high quality fats in your diet.
10. Boosts Immune System
Jalpai fruit benefits provide support for your immune system, as they can reduce the likelihood of you picking up infections. Jalpais even show potential in inhibiting the growth of the devastating bacteria MRSA- a strain resistant to many common prescription antibiotics.
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11. Improves Brain Function
In addition to the monounsaturated fats which help reduce inflammatory load, some of the phenolic compounds found in jalpais can reduce the aggregation of molecules that can lead to conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
12. May Prevent Anemia
Jalpais are a rich source of iron. Iron deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia, a condition in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells. Lack of iron results in anemia, which can be life-threatening for pregnant women.
13. Can Reduce Allergies
Jalpais are well known for their anti-inflammatory effects, which also mediate effects resulting to suppression of allergies. Jalpais also act as anti-histamines, reducing inflammation in the lungs and decreasing mucus production, to allow ease of breathing.
Jalpai fruit benefits are plentiful and studies show that they are good for the heart, body, mind and may protect against osteoporosis and cancer. Want to find more superfruits? Check out Bijora Fruit Benefits or Bedana Fruit Benefits!