6 Health Benefits of Avacodo

The health benefits of avocado include protection from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, weight management, treating osteoarthritis and nutrient absorption for the body. Avocado also reduces the risk of cancer, liver damage and vitamin K deficiency related bleeding. Avocado is considered as a unique super type of fruit due to its important nutrients such as antioxidants, which are essential for a healthy diet. Unlike most fruits that consist primarily of carbohydrates, avocado is high in healthy fat as well as other potent nutrients, making it very beneficial for your health.

Over the years, the health benefits of avocado often referred to as “super food” has become incredibly popular among health conscious individuals for its health benefits. Avocado is also known as Alligator Pears, which is mainly due to its shape and the leathery appearance of its skin. It is a fruit grown on Parsee Americana, which is an evergreen tree from the Lauraceae family. Avocados are a good source of monounsaturated fatty acids, and they have low sugar content. They are a good source of energy and contain a number of essential vitamins and minerals. Avocados contain calcium, manganese, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and phosphorus. They also contain minerals such as vitamin C, B6, B-12, A, D, K, E, thiamine, niacin and riboflavin. Furthermore, they are a great source of dietary fiber, and a single serving can provide more than 40% of the daily requirement. Avocados are rich in potassium and successfully balance the potassium to sodium ratio which is vitally important to overall health.

Health Benefits of Avocado

 

1. Cardiovascular Health

The health benefits of avocados include healthier heart. According to the Hass Avocado Board, avocados contain 25 milligrams per ounce of a natural plant sterol called beta-sitosterol, which helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Studies suggest that the intake of avocado may enhance antiatherogenic properties of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which helps in protecting your heart from atherosclerosis, also known as arteriosclerosis vascular disease. The significant levels of potassium in avocados make it a powerful fruit for lowering blood pressure and preventing hypertension. Potassium is a vasodilator, which relaxes the blood vessels and arteries, thereby reducing the chances of clotting, heart attacks, strokes and other heart-related diseases.

2. Prevent Cancer 

 

Health benefits of avocados include a lower risk of cancers, including breast cancer and prostrate cancer. Avocados are a good source of antioxidant carotenoids like alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants protect your body’s cells against cancerous changes due to free radical damage and are considered your front line of defense against numerous diseases. The monounsaturated fats in avocado also help with carotenoid absorption and studies suggest it has a protective effect against breast cancer specifically. The list of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in avocados is impressive. Avocado also contains high levels of vitamin C (which is considered protective against many non-hormonal cancers like pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, and lung cancer) and vitamin E whose deficiency has been linked to breast cancer and studies have found a dramatic reduction in breast cancer risk at higher intakes. The avocado extract has also been shown to inhibit the growth of prostrate cancer cells.

3. Treatment of Arthritis

 

Osteoarthritis is a painful condition characterized by joint inflammation and soreness. Avocado has anti-inflammatory properties attributed to the phytochemicals, flavonoids, carotenoids, phytosterols, fatty alcohols, and omega-3 fatty acids contained in it. Avocados contain high levels of monounsaturated fats, phytosterols and antioxidants like vitamin E, vitamin C and a variety of carotenoids that can help reduce the inflammation that causes arthritis.

4. Skin and Hair Care 

 

Avocados are packed with nutrients that are beneficial for maintaining healthy skin. It enriches the skin that is dry or damaged. The monounsaturated fats in avocado are also beneficial for improving your skin tone and appearance. They are important for maintaining good moisture levels in the epidermal layer of your skin that makes it look and feel soft and healthy. Avocado benefits also include protecting your skin from wrinkles and other visible signs of aging with its antioxidant carotenoids, vitamin E which helps guard against aging from sun exposure; and vitamin C which is involved in the creation of elastin and collagen for maintaining your skin's elasticity and firmness.

5. Kidney Health

  

Avocados are a good source of potassium and their inclusion in your diet may provide other benefits as well. Potassium plays a very important role in maintaining the balance of mineral and fluids in those who suffer from chronic kidney disorders. It is important to make sure that potassium levels are not too high as that can also be dangerous for the heart. Potassium is a key aspect of maintaining fluid balance through chemical channels for cells and organs. The balance of fluid is also vital for the functioning of the kidney, which handles the movement of fluid and toxins through the body. 

6. Healthy Eyes

 

Avocados help to keep your eyes healthy. Some of the antioxidants found in avocados are Lutein, Carotenoids and Zeaxanthin, which are essential for eye health and eyesight. Studies have shown that the antioxidants are linked with the reduced risk of cataracts, eye diseases, and macular degeneration, especially common in the elderly. Eye diseases are often caused by free radicals that accumulate in the tissues of the eyes. The antioxidant activity of the antioxidants contained in avocados helps to neutralize the effects of those dangerous free radicals.

Conclusion

Health benefits of avocado include a healthier heart, lower blood pressure, protection against cancer, diabetes, arthritis treatment, better skin and improving your nutrient intake. Avocado is usually eaten raw, as a dessert whip, or in the form of salads with little pepper and salt. You can tell how ripe an avocado is by gently pressing into the skin. If the avocado is firm and does not budge, you will need to let it ripen for a few days before consuming. Soft avocados make great guacamole or dip, while firmer avocados are great for slicing and adding to a salad.