What are nutritional & health benefits of avocados?

Avocados have become the main item on menus of the health-conscious due to their various health and nutritional properties. From weight control to improving skin to lowering the risk of chronic diseases, the avocado is an extremely healthy fruit to add to your diet.

Nutritional Properties of Avocado

The avocado is 19% Carbs, 77% Fats & 4% Protein. It is very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and Folate. The fat found in avocados is mostly monounsaturated. It has useful minerals such as iron, copper, potassium and the B vitamin.

Health Benefits of Avocado

The avocado has various health benefits; here are some of them:

Avocado is good for your heart

The avocado has monounsaturated oleic acid, which is good for our heart. Research suggests that it helps to protect against heart disease and lowers blood pressure levels. Avocado fiber is also good for reducing blood pressure and balancing cholesterol levels. Avocado also contains a higher amount of potassium than sodium, which is good for lowering blood pressure levels.

Fights against Cancer

Avocados are a great cancer-fighting food.  Antioxidants and Phytochemicals like alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin found in avocados protect our body’s cells against Cancer.

Avocatin B, a type of fat found in avocados, can be used to cure acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It wipes out leukemia stem cells while leaving the healthy cells untouched.

Avocado helps manage weight

About 80% of the Avocado’s carbohydrates come from fiber.  This can give you the feeling of fullness for longer periods of time and restrict your caloric intake. Fiber also helps avoid those sudden dips or spikes in sugar or energy levels that can lead you to make unhealthy food choices.

Improve cognitive function

Avocado contains omega-3 fatty acids and natural vitamin-E, which are both great for your brain. For instance, they improve the blood supply to your prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain responsible for planning, decision making, and critical thinking.

Improves eye health

A single ounce of avocado contains 80 micrograms of lutein. Lutein is a natural antioxidant necessary to protect you from age-related eye degeneration. Lutein is a carotenoid that filters harmful blue light—this helps to maintain healthy cells within your eye.

Immune System Booster

Avocados contain the antioxidant “Glutathione,” which boosts our body’s immune system and protects us from diseases. It also helps to balance hormone production by providing us with essential amino acids, antioxidants, and healthy fats.

Good for skin

The avocado is a great source of antioxidant carotenoids like alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein. These antioxidants not only protect our skin from environmental damages,  they also moisturize, restore and eliminate age spots, smoothe our skin, and reduce the signs of aging.