The Health Benefits of Avocado
Ever heard the saying - An avocado a day keeps the Doctor away?
If you’re still unsure about our friendly fat Mr. Avocado, please continue reading to find out some wonderful health benefits of this fine fruit! There are tons of benefits to Avocados, however I chose to write about my top 5, otherwise this could be a long read!
My Top 5 Health Benefits of Avocado…
They’re packed full of nutrients
Avocado area green, pear shaped fruit, that has leathery skin on the outside and a big round core in the middle.
This super fruit contains 20 different vitamins and minerals. The key players are as follows:
Vitamin E
Vitamin C
Vitamin K
Vitamin B5
Vitamin B6
Folate
Potassium
The secondary nutrients are Magnesium, Manganese, Copper, Iron, Zinc, Phosphorous, Vitamin A, B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin) and B3 (Niacin).
This nutrient dense fruit has a mere 160 calories, 15 grams of HEALTHY fat, 2 grams of protein, and 9 grams of carbohydrates, 7 of them fibre!
2. Eating Avocados may aid in weight loss
Avocados are low in carbohydrates, and high in fibre.These two attributes can help promote weight loss, if you are also eating a healthy, well balanced diet.
In one study, people were split into two groups. One group was instructed to eat a meal that contained avocado, the other a similar meal without avocado.
The people eating the avocado felt 22% more satisfied and had a 27% lower desire to eat over the next 4-5 hours.
3. The Fat in Avocados can help you better absorb plant based nutrients
Certain vitamins are fat soluble, meaning they need to be paired with fat during digestion in order to be readily absorbed and utilized by the body. The Vitamins include Vitamin A,D,E and K.
Adding avocado or even avocado oil, says one study, can increase antioxidant absorption by up to 15%.
Just another reason to include or beloved avocado in our daily diet.
4. Avocados have high levels of antioxidants that can protect eye health
Avocados are high in nutrients called Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which are extremely important for eye health.
According to several studies, these nutrients are linked to reducing the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, which are common in the elderly.
5. Avocados contain a good amount of fibre, and more potassium than a banana
Fibre is an indigestible nutrient the body needs, that can contribute to weight loss, stabilizing blood sugar, and helping move waste out of our bodies.
The majority of the population struggle to get enough fibre, which can lead to a whole slew of health issues in the long run.
Avocados contain 7 grams of fibre per 100 grams, which is 27% of your daily recommended intake.
Another wonderful fact about avocado is their potassium levels.
Potassium in an electrolyte nutrient necessary for many bodily functions, and something a lot of people are not getting enough of.
Avocados contain 14% of our daily recommended intake per 100 grams, compared to a banana, which sits at 10%.
Optimal levels of potassium can help reduce blood pressure, and ultimately lead to reduced risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney issues.
So grab a spoon or a fork and get eating folks! Let avocados be your new best friend!
-Amanda