Health Benefits of Avocado
Rose May Pimentel in Health
Jun 12, 2021 • 3 min Read
Avocado has the highest protein and fiber content of any fruit. It is considered a complete food with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, calories and fiber, no cholesterol, and is sodium-free.
There are varieties of recipe preparations available for avocado. Here in the Philippines, it is often eaten as a snack by scooping flesh from the skin then mix with sugar and milk or cream. Most Pinoys simply find the taste so delicious.
Here are some of the amazing benefits of avocado from Organic Facts:
1. May Improve Cardiovascular Health
Avocado improves HDL or good cholesterol levels, which may help protect against heart attack and stroke. Reports published concluded that eating avocado can significantly increase HDL cholesterol.
2. Good Source of Potassium
Avocados are a good source of potassium. These significant levels of potassium make avocados powerful in the fight against hypertension. Potassium is one of the minerals that help in maintaining a normal heart rate. Eating potassium-rich foods like avocados and bananas reduce the tension of blood vessels and arteries, regulating blood pressure. This, in turn, may help reduce the risk of clotting, heart attacks, and strokes.
3. Improves Vision
Avocados can help keep your eyes healthy. They contain carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin known to protect the eyes against cataracts, eye diseases related to age, and macular degeneration.
4. Skin and Hair Care
Avocados are packed with nutrients that are beneficial for maintaining healthy skin. It enriches skin that is dry, chapped, or damaged. They are added to a variety of cosmetics due to their ability to nourish the skin with essential vitamins and make it glow. It is also used for nourishing dry and damaged hair.
Many people use avocados to prepare for skin and hair masks. Above all, avocado oil provides relief from plaque psoriasis.
Beta-carotene and lycopene are two organic compounds found in avocados both connected to improving the health and tone of your skin and eliminating signs of premature aging.
5. Liver Care
The chemicals contained in avocados appear to be very good at reducing liver damage. These organic compounds help in improving liver health. A published study suggests that avocados may play a major role in toning up and protecting your liver from a wide variety of conditions.
6. Antioxidant Properties
Avocado contains both vitamin C and E, which help enhance the antioxidant properties of the human body. Avocado has antioxidants that neutralize the effects of free radicals responsible for dozens of serious conditions including cardiovascular diseases, vision problems, premature aging, and cognitive disorders, and the dangerous by-products of cellular metabolism.
7. Strengthens Bones
Avocados contain zeaxanthin and lutein, associated with a reduced risk of cartilage defects, one of the symptoms of osteoarthritis. The levels of essential minerals including zinc, phosphorus, copper, with trace amounts of calcium and selenium are significant in avocados. All of these minerals are connected to lower risks of osteoporosis and improvements in bone mineral density.
8. Nutrient Absorption
A research study shows that consumption of avocado can lead to improved diet quality and nutrient intake, including a lowered risk of metabolic syndrome.
9. Improves Cognitive Function
Study says that fresh avocado daily increased lutein levels in the brains and eyes of healthy older adults, which, in turn, help enhance memory and problem-solving skills.
No wonder avocado is considered a superfood. Go start taking this sweet-savory fruit to your diet and enjoy its benefits.
Stay healthy and safe!
