Olives are present in most appetizers and vermouths. And there are people, both adults and children, who even drink the liquid that accompanies them.
The water used to preserve the olives is not toxic. By law, canners must use a liquid that does not cause any harm to the consumer. The question is whether its components affect us in any way. In fact, when we eat olives we already consume part of the juice, even if it is a small amount.
Without this liquid, the olives would dry out and spoil quickly. We would find them wilted in a few days and we could be poisoned if bacteria were installed. With this juice, the olives maintain their properties for weeks or months and are protected from microorganisms.
If you have ever tried the liquid that accompanies them, you will have noticed that it has an intense flavor, between salty and bitter. Most likely it will generate rejection. But there are people who like it.
When the olives are finished, there is often a finger of juice left. It’s not really a liquid intended for consumption, but if you do drink it, it shouldn’t hurt you. Although you are not free of risks: this water has a lot of salt in order to preserve the food in the optimal state.
Drinking a liquid with so much salt can lead us to exceed the recommended daily amount (five grams, according to the WHO), so it can harm us to some extent. This juice, therefore, is not recommended for certain types of people.
Salt abuse is especially inadvisable in people with hypertension, because, as the Spanish Society of Cardiology points out, it raises blood pressure and could worsen cardiovascular health. For this reason, hypertensives should think about it before habitually drinking the juice of the olives.
It has also been documented that excess salt promotes osteoporosis by reducing calcium levels. In addition, as a consequence, it can deteriorate the bones.
On the other hand, salt contributes to retaining liquids, so if you have retention problems, it is better that you moderate the consumption of this salty water.
Finally, the Ministry of Health recalls that excess salt hinders kidney function, favors overweight and obesity, and increases the risk of gastric cancer.
Read the original RAC1 article here.
