Vegetables
      Back to home
      1. Knowledge Base
      2. Foods & Drinks Section
      3. Vegetables

      Olives (green)

      Green olive intolerance may be due to oleuropein, preservatives, or histamine levels. Avoid them for 8 weeks, consider supplements like probiotics or quercetin, and retest. Black olives or Kalamata olives are excellent alternatives.

      🫒 What Are Green Olives?

      Green olives are the unripe fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea) harvested before full ripening. They are cured and sometimes stuffed to reduce bitterness and enhance flavor, making them a common addition to salads, appetizers, and Mediterranean dishes.

      🤔 Why Do I Have an Intolerance to Green Olives?

      Sensitivity to green olives might result from:

      • Oleuropein: This bitter compound in unripe olives can irritate sensitive digestive systems.
      • Preservatives: Green olives are often brined or treated with preservatives like sodium benzoate, which might trigger reactions.
      • Histamines: Green olives naturally contain histamines, which can provoke symptoms in histamine-sensitive individuals.
      • Processing Residues: Residues from curing or chemical treatments may irritate sensitive individuals.

      🛠️ What Can I Do About It?

      • Avoid green olives for 8 weeks to reduce symptoms and allow for healing.
      • Check labels for green olives in sauces, tapenades, or prepared dishes.
      • After 8 weeks, gradually reintroduce green olives and monitor symptoms before retesting.

      💊 Which Supplements Can Help?

      • Probiotics: Help balance gut bacteria and reduce sensitivity to fermented or cured foods.
        probiotics_20_billion
      • Digestive Enzymes: Aid in breaking down olive compounds like oleuropein.
        digestive_enzyme_supplement
      • Quercetin: A natural antihistamine to help manage reactions to histamines in olives and 
        Curcumin: Reduces inflammation associated with food intolerances.
        platinum_turmeric_supplement

      🌟 Why Might I Have an Intolerance to Green Olives but Not Other Olives?

      • Ripeness Differences: Black olives are fully ripened, which reduces oleuropein levels, making them less bitter and easier to digest.
      • Histamine Levels: Green olives generally contain more histamines than black olives or other varieties.
      • Curing Methods: Green olives are often cured with stronger brines or preservatives compared to other olives, which may trigger reactions.
      • Oil Content: Black olives tend to have higher oil content, which may dilute or mitigate irritants present in green olives.

      🍽️ Popular Dishes and Alternatives

      Dishes:

      • Green olive tapenade
      • Greek salads
      • Stuffed green olives
      • Antipasto platters

      Alternatives (if tolerated):

      • Black olives
      • Kalamata olives
      • Caperberries
      • Olive oil