Avocados are very common in most parts of the world. The tree originally comes from Mexico, but has since found its way to other parts of the world – Asia, America, Africa, Europe, etc.
There are a lot of people who know about the tree, and its delicious fruit. Some eat it, and others use it for beauty purposes. But despite that, you can’t rule out the fact that there are tons of people who don’t eat Avocados (at least, enough of it), either because they don’t like it or they just don’t understand its usefulness to the body.
This post will be talking about some of the benefits that come with eating Avocados; from weight loss to nourishment of the skin and body. Just read on.
BOASTS MORE POTASSIUM THAN BANANA
Your body needs potassium to work normally. For example, the mineral helps keep your heartbeat steady. Most people think of bananas when they think of this nutrient. But ounce for ounce, avocados have more.
THEY’RE GOOD FOR THE EYES
Avocados have lutein and zeaxanthin, which absorb light waves that can harm your vision. People who eat lots of foods rich in these antioxidants are less likely to have age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in older adults. Most of an avocado`s antioxidants are found in the darker green flesh that’s closest to the peel.
HELPFUL IN WEIGHT LOSS
A half-cup of guacamole has about 6 grams, almost 1/4, of your daily fiber needs. Fiber helps you feel full, so you’re less likely to overeat. And although avocados are high in fat, it’s mainly healthy monounsaturated fat. Research has found that this type of fat in your diet can help trim your waistline. Instead of chicken salad with mayo, try chickpeas with mashed avocado.
THEY’RE A GREAT MOOD-BOOSTER
In a cup of avocado slices, you’ll get about 118 micrograms of folate, which is almost a third of what most adults need daily. People who don’t get enough of this B vitamin could be more prone to depression – and less likely to respond well to antidepressants. Folate also plays a role in preventing birth defects, so expectant and new mothers are encouraged to get more.
THEY HELP POWER YOU UP
These green gems are packed with a variety of other B vitamins, too, including thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), and niacin (B3). These help your body convert the food you eat into energy. Avocados are especially rich in niacin, which can fight inflammation in the body and protect your arteries by improving cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
THEY’RE GOOD FOR THE HEART
Speaking of your blood vessels, health experts recommend that the majority of the fat you eat be unsaturated, like you’ll find in avocados, rather than the saturated fats in foods like red meats and whole-milk dairy foods.
Early research now shows that avocados in particular can also help lower “bad” cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure.
THEY PROTECT THE BRAIN
Avocados give you a good dose of vitamin E, which may help protect against Alzheimer`s disease and slow decline in your memory and thinking skills. This may have to do with vitamin E`s antioxidant properties – it can help fight cell damage caused over time by things like pollution and radiation from the sun.
THEY STRENGTHEN BONES
On average, people eat half an avocado at a time. That gives an adult 15% of their daily vitamin K needs. This nutrient may help improve bone density and prevent fractures. Toss avocado pieces into a spinach salad with salmon, tuna, or egg for even more vitamin K along with vitamin D, another nutrient that`s essential for bone health.
THEY ARE GREAT FOR A HEALTHY BLOOD SUGAR
Because they`re low in carbs and sugar and high in healthy fat and fiber, avocados check all the boxes as far as being friendly for someone with diabetes. If you don`t have it now but are worried about the future, here`s some good news: Eating a plant-based diet (that includes avocados) could drop your chance of developing type 2 diabetes by about 20%, according to a Harvard study that tracked 200,000 people for 20 years.
THEY’RE GOOD FOR A HEALTHY SKIN
Whether you eat it or make it into a mask, avocado is great for your skin. Its antioxidants, like vitamin C, can help keep your skin looking youthful by smoothing out wrinkles. And the same nutrients that protect your eyes also protect your skin from UV damage. Avocado paste may help wound healing, so you could slather it on the part of your skin that has suffered sunburn.
THEY HELP FIGHT CANCER
Avocados have oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid (also found in olive oil and nuts) that can slash the odds of breast cancer, according to a study of more than 4,000 women. And a compound in avocados called avocatin B can kill leukemia cells, according to a lab study. Scientists are even looking into whether the papery husks that surround avocado pits have anything helpful.
THEY IMPROVE PROSTATE
Beta-sitosterol, a kind of plant sterol, may help relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate. (It`s part of the family of phytonutrients that help block your body from absorbing “bad” LDL cholesterol.) Avocados have more than four times as much beta-sitosterol as oranges, the next richest fruit source.
I never knew about all this, now that I know about it, i will make sure it is everywhere in my house and it should take the place of banana’s Atleast up-to 70%
I have been eating avocados for the past 30 years. I just liked the fruit as a butter replacement..Honestly I did not know the abudance of benefits as you have explained. My resolve now is to increase access to avocado by planting it in the gardens. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks a million for such a beautiful piece of article. I appreciate the wonderful revelation made about Avocado. I can now earmark 20% of my expenditure on fruit foods for Avocado. Thanks.
The enlightenment has given me the awareness of the benefits of Avocado. I will include it in my daily food menus. Thanks.