The “LoveCado” or avocado is an incredibly unique fruit!!
The avocado is the fatty fruit of the avocado tree, scientifically known as Persea Americana. It is native to Mexico and Central America.
Numerous studies show that the avocado has powerful beneficial effects on health due to its high level of healthy fats.
Here are a few unique health benefits of eating avocados that are supported by scientific research.
1. The Avocado is very healthy…
These days, the California Hass avocado has become an incredibly popular food among health-conscious individuals. It is often referred to as a superfood… which is not surprising given its health properties.
There are many kinds of avocados, but the most popular and flavorful type is called Hass avocado which is what the “LoveCado” is.
Avocados are very nutritious and contain a wide variety of nutrients, including 20 different vitamins and minerals and roughly 14-15 grams of fiber per fruit.
2. They Contain More Potassium Than Bananas
Potassium is a nutrient that the majority of humans don’t get enough of. Avocados are actually very high in potassium… with a 100 gram (3.5 ounce) serving containing 14% of the RDA, compared to 10% in bananas, which is considered typically a very high potassium food.
Several studies show that having a high potassium intake is linked to reduced blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure. Potassium helps maintain electrical gradients in the human heart as well as the body’s cells and serves other various important functions.
3. Avocado is Loaded with Heart-Healthy Monounsaturated Fatty Acids
Avocado is a high fat food. In fact, 77% of the calories in it are from fat, making it one of the fattiest plant foods in existence.
But they don’t just contain any fat… the majority of the fat in avocado is oleic acid. This is a monounsaturated fatty acid that is also the major component in “olive oil” and is responsible for some of its beneficial effects. Oleic acid has been linked to reduced inflammation and been shown to have beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer. More to come on the benefits of Oleic Acid in a bit..
4. Some other amazing facts on the health benefits from eating Avocados…
Numerous studies have shown that eating avocados as part of your diet can improve heart disease risk factors like Total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, as well as blood triglycerides.
In fact, one dietary survey found that people who ate avocados had a much higher nutrient intake and had a lower risk of metabolic syndrome. Avocados are high in antioxidants, including Lutein and Zeaxanthin. These nutrients are very important for eye health and lower the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.
Some studies in isolated cells have shown that nutrients in avocados may have benefits in preventing prostate cancer. And lastly, studies have shown that an extract from avocado can significantly reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Are you living a low carb low sugar conscience diet?
Compared to other fruits, avocados contain very little sugar. Half an avocado (68 grams) contains only 0.5 grams of sugar, in the form of glucose, fructose and galactose.
The net digestible carbs are only 1.8 grams for each 100 grams of avocado. Because of the low sugar content, they are expected to have a very low glycemic index score, which means that they should not raise blood sugar levels much.
Fiber
Fiber occupies most of the carbohydrate content (79%) of avocados. Half an avocado provides 4.5 grams of fiber, which is very high. Dietary fiber is an important dietary component with many health benefits. It can regulate appetite, feed the friendly bacteria in the gut and reduce the risk of many diseases.
Bottom line:
Avocados are a game changer for your life! They are incredibly healthy for you and taste AWESOME for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Oh, yea, dessert too…