An avocado is a unique fruit with an amazing range of health benefits. Avocados are high in healthy fats and contain significant levels of nutrients that positively affect the body. Find out all about the amazing health benefits of avocados right here.
Avocados are different to other fruits, which are usually high in carbohydrates, and instead contain high levels of healthy fats. They also contain plenty of nutrients, including vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin E, manganese, magnesium, zinc, vitamin A, iron, copper, and phosphorous. Avocados are not high in sodium or cholesterol. They are considered an extremely healthy food although they contain fat.
Here are some specific reasons why avocados are so good for your body and your mind.
1) Avocados Contain Heart-Healthy Fats
Avocados are naturally a high-fat food. But that is only part of the story. This fat is the healthy kind. It is monounsaturated fat, the type you find in olive oil, and it is beneficial for many reasons. It is linked to heart health and to reduced inflammation in the body.
2) Avocados Contain High Levels of Potassium
Potassium is an essential nutrient and it is a nutrient that many people are lacking. You need potassium to help the electrical impulses in the body and also to protect other critical functions. Avocados are actually higher in potassium than bananas. They are a rich source of this important nutrient. Reduced blood pressure is connected to high potassium levels.
3) Avocados May Help to Prevent Cancer
Could the humble avocado even help to prevent cancer, one of the world’s biggest killers? Studies have been carried out into whether avocado can complete this aim, and certain research has shown that extract of avocado can inhibit prostate cancer cell growth. However, studies are limited and there is not enough knowledge as yet to certainly link avocado extract with cancer prevention.
4) Avocados Contain Fiber
Fiber is a really beneficial nutrient for a number of different reasons. Fiber helps the body as it assists digestion, and it also affects weight loss, reduces your blood sugar spikes, and helps prevent a number of other chronic diseases. Avocados contain around seven percent fiber, which is a good level for a fruit.
5) Eat Avocado to Help Babies’ Health
Babies need folate, otherwise known as folic acid, when in the womb in order to reduce the risk of the baby suffering neural tube defects, and also to lower the risk of miscarriage. Avocados are high in folate, which makes them an excellent part of a healthy diet in pregnancy.
6) Avocados Can Lower Your Cholesterol Levels
Studies have shown that eating avocados helps to reduce the total cholesterol levels in the body in a significant way, and they can also help to reduce blood triglycerides, both of which are markers of heart disease. So, eating avocados could actually help you avoid one of the most dangerous conditions you can suffer.
7) Avocados Can Help Your Vision
Eating these super fruits can considerably assist your vision, which is a great benefit. Avocados contain both lutein and zeaxanthin. These are phytochemicals that are particularly present in the eyes, and they give antioxidant protection to help protect the eye from light.
8) Avocados Minimize Osteoporosis Risk
One of the essential minerals for bone health is vitamin K. Avocados contain a lot of vitamin K, and you can get around 25 percent of the daily allowance from just one half of an avocado. In addition to vitamin K, make sure that you also get enough calcium and vitamin D.
9) Avocados May Lower Depression Risk
These fruits can help to decrease the risk of depression since they contain folate, which is an important nutrient that allows for better delivery of nutrients through the body to the brain.
10) Avocados May Help to Relieve Arthritis Symptoms
Studies demonstrate that extracts from the avocado can help to reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis. This is a common chronic condition that affects the bones. Studies do show that the extract from the avocado affects this condition, but whether this is the same as eating whole avocados remains to be seen.
11) Avocados Are Natural Detoxifiers
An avocado contains lots of fiber, and this helps the digestive system – which is a natural detoxification process. Fiber in avocados may also help to reduce inflammation and regulate the immune system.
12) An Avocado Can Provide Antimicrobial Properties
In certain cases avocados provide a level of protection against microbes in the body, and may be useful for acting against the bugs that cause diseases.
As you can see, there are many amazing health benefits of avocados. And the best thing is, avocados taste great. They are versatile and delicious in a range of dishes, so there is no excuse for not incorporating them into the diet.
