8 WHOLE-BODY-ENHANCING HEALTH BENEFITS OF AVOCADOS

December 03, 2018 by Renee Tavoularis

Good nutrition should be delicious, and the extraordinary avocado is one of the tastiest nutrient-dense foods you can find. Every bite is packed full of critical vitamins and minerals that support full-body wellness, among other health benefits. These are just eight of the reasons why you should add more avocados to your meals. 

INSIDE YOUR AVOCADO

The first thing to know about avocados is that their reputation for being high in fat is true - but misleading. One serving (50 grams or one-third of a medium avocado) has 8 grams of fat. However, 75 percent of that is heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, and avocados have no cholesterol. In fact, avocados meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements for labeling a food as "healthy."

In addition to the heart-healthy fats, avocados have more than 20 vitamins and minerals that are important for your health. Some of these include:

• Vitamin K
• Vitamin C
• Potassium
• Vitamin B5
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin E
• Folate
• Small amounts of Magnesium, Manganese, Copper, Iron, Zinc, Phosphorous, Vitamin A, B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin) and B3 (Niacin). 

8 HEALTH BENEFITS OF AVOCADOS

The list of health benefits offered by avocados is extensive. These are eight of the nutritional advantages you receive from adding avocados to your diet.

ENHANCES THE BODY'S ABILITY TO ABSORB NUTRIENTS

A plate full of vegetables is an opportunity to give your body plenty of vitamins and minerals. However, without a little fat, your digestive tract may not be able to fully absorb the full nutritional value of these foods. Avocados have a balance of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, which ensures your body can absorb all of the nutrients from your veggies.

HELPS TO SPEED METABOLISM

Free radicals are molecules that attack your mitochondria, causing a variety of health problems, including lower metabolism. The antioxidants in avocados attack the free radicals so that your mitochondria work more efficiently, which speeds up your metabolism.

DOES NOT CLOG ARTERIES

Avocados are a zero-cholesterol food, making them an excellent choice for cardiovascular health.

SUPPORTS LOWER CHOLESTEROL LEVEL

Some of the fat in avocados is Oleic Acid, which can also be found in olive oil. Oleic Acid is an omega-9 fatty acid that has been shown to improve cholesterol levels. 

REGULATES BLOOD PRESSURE LEVEL

Potassium is an important nutrient for keeping blood pressure down, however many people do not get enough of it in their diets. Fortunately, avocados can help. Avocados contain more potassium than bananas, making them an excellent option for maintaining healthy blood pressure.

PREVENTION OF STROKES

Healthy blood pressure is key for preventing strokes, but potassium isn't the only way avocados protect you. The monounsaturated fats ensure your blood vessels stay supple so that blood can move along properly. Vitamin K is another important stroke-prevention nutrient, as it also prevents your arteries from hardening.

HELPS PREVENT CANCER

Researchers have discovered that avocados are effective in the battle against cancer. They contain strong antioxidants such as carotenoids, which help prevent cell damage. In particular, studies show that adding additional carotenoids to your diet may guard against prostate, oral, breast, and gastric cancers.

CAROTENE AND LUTEIN

Avocados are a rich source of carotene and lutein. These nutrients play an important role in the health of your eyes and skin. The healthy fats in avocados ensure that the carotene and lutein are effectively absorbed by your body. 

ADDING MORE AVOCADO TO YOUR MEALS

The mild flavor of avocado makes it a perfect companion to many dishes, from salads and dips to grilled veggies. It spreads nicely, so you use it on slices of bread, or you can mix larger pieces into spicy black beans and rice for a cool companion to hotter ingredients. Most important, avocado oil has a higher smoking point than other healthy fats, such as olive oil, so you can use it safely for cooking and sautéing.
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