1. Avocado is Incredibly Nutritious
What we refer to as “avocado” is the fruit of the avocado tree, called Persea americana
This fruit is prized for its high nutrient value
and is added to all sorts of dishes due to its
good flavor and rich texture. It is the main
ingredient in guacamole .
These days, the 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.
2. They Contain More Potassium
Than Bananas
Potassium is a nutrient that most people aren’t getting enough of
This nutrient helps maintain electrical gradients
in the body’s cells and serves various
important functions.
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 are a typical high potassium food (5 ).
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 .
3) Avocado is Loaded With Heart-
Healthy Monounsaturated Fatty
Acids
Again, 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
believed to be 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 (7 ,
8, 9 , 10).
The fats in avocado are also pretty resistant to
heat-induced oxidation, making avocado oil a
healthy and safe choice for cooking.
4. Avocados Are Loaded With
Fiber
Fiber is another nutrient found in relatively
large amounts in avocado.
Fiber is indigestible plant matter that can
contribute to weight loss, reduce blood sugar
spikes and is strongly linked to a lower risk of
many diseases.
A distinction is often made between soluble
and insoluble fiber.
Soluble fiber is known to be able to feed the
friendly gut bacteria in the intestine, which are
very important for the optimal function of our
bodies ( 14).
A 100 gram (3.5 ounce) serving of avocado
contains 7 grams of fiber, which is 27% of the
recommended daily amount.
About 25% of the fiber in avocado is soluble,
while 75% is insoluble (15).
8. Avocados Are Loaded With
Powerful Antioxidants That Can
Protect The Eyes
Not only do avocados increase antioxidant
absorption from other foods, they are also high
in antioxidants themselves.
This includes nutrients called Lutein and
Zeaxanthin, which are incredibly important for
eye health .
Studies show that these nutrients are linked to
a drastically reduced risk of cataracts and
macular degeneration, which are common in
the elderly .
Therefore, eating avocados should have
benefits for eye health over the long term.
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