I love olives too. But I don't know about downing a jar. Half of it maybe, if I'm starving.
From what I heard they're fatenning though. And I know that olive oil is good for your stomach lining, but I don't know it this feature carries over to plain olives.
Since you live in California, you should visit a Whole Foods market if you have a chance. They have an olive salad bar with near 30 different olive types. They're quite expensive, but also a connoisseur's paradise.