Is eating olive pits a problem?
I have been eating fresh and brined olives for years. I like the olives with the pits and usually consume the whole pit without removing it. It was recently pointed out to me that this is not a healthy practice, and even though I have been doing this for some time, I began to wonder whether it is 1)abnormal to eat the whole olive, pit and all, and 2) will the pits have a long term adverse effect? I have never met anyone who ate olive pits, and I find the with-pit olives to be the best, so I thought I would ask. Note that I do not grind up and chew the pits, as I am sure that my teeth would not like that!
Best Answer
I'd avoid this practice.
The olive pit husk is very hard and should not be eaten, however, as it is indigestible and might injure the intestinal wall if sharp edges are present. Also, do not chew the husk, as it is so hard it could break a tooth. Swallowing the husk is also a bad idea, as it has sharp ends that could be dangerous. It is also quite indigestible and will come out just as it went in. (source)
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Quick Answer about "Is eating olive pits a problem?"
Olive pits are not poisonous. Many birds and other animals eat olives off the tree. The pits are primarily lignin, a major component of wood. If you ate one it would probably go through you undisturbed.Is olive seed digestible?
(Just because they're digestible doesn't mean they have to be digested. They're still spittable). There is actually a seed inside the olive pit. Don't eat the pit, of course, but if you crack it open the seed is edible and apparently very nutritious.Why do people eat olives with pits?
Let's consider the olive for a second. Pits give olives their firm structure. With them, they're the shimmering highlight of charcuterie and meze platters. Without the pits, olives are a briny, saggy mess.Are pitted olives worse?
After tasting many samples, it became clear that the pitted olives suffered on two counts: They tasted saltier and their flesh was mushier. They also lacked the complex, fruity flavors of the unpitted kind.What do they do with olive pits?
Olive Industry Waste, Such As Olive Pits, Pomace And Pruning Remains Used To Decontaminate Sewage. Summary: Olive waste obtained during the oil extraction process may be used to eliminate heavy metals from sewage or waste waters of productive activities.How to Pit Olives Fast | Mad Genius Tips | Food \u0026 Wine
More answers regarding is eating olive pits a problem?
Answer 2
In our culture we eat olive pits (especially Kalamata) for generations and no one has ever had a problem with eating them in small quantities (3-4 max).
They seem to be digestible (never noticed any of them coming out! :)
Answer 3
I swallow olive pits occasionally,not more than 2 if they are not too big. Heard for some old folks in Greece they have done it for whole life(in their 80s still kicking and olive pits eating:)) and they believe that pits protect their intestines as they are digestible
Answer 4
I used to eat the meat in the olive pit. It is white and oblong shape, and it is very tasty. I have not had it since when I was a child. I will ask the herb store in Chinatown next time. this delicacy is very expensive probably because it is hard to break the pit and extract the meat.
Answer 5
Apparently US and Bulgarian research proved that olive stones melt in the digestive tract before reaching the intestines. I just received the information from a friend who is a medical researcher and I will also start eating them.
Answer 6
I have been eaten for years(40+). Nothing wrong with it and most probably it is healthy too. Sometimes you need to be careful because of sharpness of top side of pit. Stomach, I read it in somewhere don't remember where but, just digestive it within seconds, before it goes to intestine...
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