The avocado is a unique fruit. While most fruit consists of carbohydrates, avocado is high in healthy fats!
Photo via The Financial Express
Studies have found that avocados also have powerful health benefits, and here are some of them according to Healthline.
#1 It’s Incredibly Nutritious!
Avocado is prized for its high nutrient value and is added to various dishes due to its good flavour and rich texture. Avocados are famous as guacamole, though there are some people who don’t like the taste of avocados.
The fruit has become a popular food among health conscious individuals and for a good reason, too! They are very nutritious and contain a wide variety of nutrients, including 20 different vitamins and minerals such as vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B5, vitamin B6 and vitamin E!
#2 Contains More Potassium Than Bananas!
Potassium is a nutrient that most people don’t get enough of.
Potassium helps maintain electrical gradients in your body’s cells and serves various important functions, and avocados are very high in potassium.
Even studies have shown that having a high potassium intake is linked to reduced blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.
#3 Loaded With Fiber
Avocados are loaded with fiber!
This indigestible plant matter can contribute to weight loss, reduce blood sugar spikes and is strongly linked to a lower risk of many other diseases.
It is also known for feeding the friendly gut bacteria in your intestine which are important for optimal body function.
#4 Avocados Can Lower Cholesterol Levels
Heart disease remains the top cause of deaths in Malaysia with 16,325 victims making up 15% of medically certified deaths in 2019, according to the Statistics Department.
It is known that several blood markers are linked to an increased risk, which includes cholesterol, triglycerides, inflammatory markers, blood pressure and various others.
Eight controlled studies in people have examined the effects of avocados in some of these risk factors, and these studies showed that avocados can:
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Reduce total cholesterol levels significantly
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Reduce blood triglycerides by up to 20%
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Lower LDL cholesterol by up to 22%
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Increase HDL (the good) cholesterol by up to 11%
#5 People Who Eat Avocados Tend To Be Healthier
People who eat avocados were found to be much healthier as they had much higher nutrient intake and were half as likely to have metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms that are a major risk factor for heart disease and diabetes.
Studies also found that those who ate avocado regularly also weighed less, had a lower BMI and significantly less belly fat, and they also had higher levels of “good” HDL cholesterol, however, there is no guarantee that the avocados caused these people to be in better health.
So, the bottom line is, avocados are an excellent food, loaded with nutrients, many of which are lacking in the modern diet. They’re also weight loss friendly, heart healthy, and last but not least… They taste incredible!
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
