The Alligator Pear or Avocado is a fruit, native to Mexico and Central America. It has been considered as perfect food or even ‘super food’ by many nutritional experts. Though, avocados contain high fat compounds, but still, they are one amongst the best fruits, which we must eat to ward off various health related issues. Even, studies have shown that avocado eaters are healthier than those, who do not excavate themselves in this silky textured and versatile flavoured fruit. Continue reading this article to discover various health benefits of avocado that you should actually be acquainted with.
1. Healthy Heart
Avocados are the powerhouse of monounsaturated fats that boosts up the health of the heart and lowers the blood pressure. The monounsaturated fats in the avocado contain phytonutrient beta-sitosterol, which brings down the triglyceride blood levels and LDL along with elevating HDL. This, in turn, also results in maintenance of cholesterol level in the body.
2. Healthy Brain
Avocado contains omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E and folate, which ensures the healthy brain health and less risk of Alzheimer’s. This power-packed fruit prevents Alzheimer’s by reducing the formation of tangles in the brain.
3. Pregnancy
Consumption of folic acid is essential at the time of pregnancy to help the foetus inside the mother’s womb to develop its brain and other elementary organs. Therefore, avocado is considered excellent at the time of pregnancy as it contains folate, which can be used in place of any synthetic folic acid.
4. Eyes Health
Avocado is equally essential for eyes, as well. It is a natural container of carotenoid leutein, an antioxidant, which plays a vital role in protecting the eyes from diseases, like macular degeneration, poor eye-sight, and cataract.
5. Blood Pressure
Avocado has a unique combination of omega-3 acid, oleic acid, and potassium that makes it ideal for reducing blood pressure.
6. Anti-inflammatory
Avocado has plentiful phytonutrient polyphenols and flavonoids, which are regarded as anti-inflammatory agents. This helps avocados in treating diseases, like Osteoarthritis and joint inflammation.
7. Anti-aging
The antioxidant glutathione also slows down the process of aging. Glutathione supports the liver and nervous system and stock up the recycled antioxidants in the body, as well.
8. Cures Indigestion
Eating avocados or having them with salad helps in curing the troubles of digestion. The enzymes and nutrients present in the avocado reduce inflammation inside the stomach and make the body proficient in absorbing carotenoids and nutrients.
9. Cancer
An avocado also rescues the body from suffering with prostate and breast cancer.
10. Blood Sugar
Avocado’s monounsaturated fats can prevent the formation of type 2 diabetes in the body and checks insulin resistance. The highly fibrous contents of avocado avert the imbalance in the blood sugar.
11. Weight Management
Avocado helps both in gaining and losing weight. An avocado makes you feel satiable, resulting in reducing hunger and appetite. Avocado also contains slow energy burning elements, which can help you shed off weight. However, shedding off weight with avocado only works when a proper diet regime is followed.
On the other hand, avocado is high in fat contents. It possesses 200 calories per 100 grams, hence; it is the best diet for those, who want to put on weight.
12. Cures Bad Breath
Avocados are one of the best natural bad breath remedies and mouth fresheners. It cleans the intestine, which is the actual reason of bad breath and layered tongue.
Ways to Eat Avocado
The best part about finding out all the health benefits of avocados is the fact that it is almost a treat to eat them. Avocados are so delicious and truly are so much fun to experiment with. There are countless ways that you can eat avocados, and if you get creative, you can add them into pretty much every meal if you want.
On It’s Own
Eating avocado with some salt and black pepper is a great snack, a side, or even a small meal. This is also the best way to get all the good nutrients and direct health impacts.
Guacamole
There are so many guacamole recipes out there that allow you to mix it up. You can go the simple way, or the more complex way, but either way, guacamole is always good. Cut up and mush some avocados, add herbs and spices and whichever seasonings you like.
You can then decide if you want to add mango’s, corn, other veggies, or anything else that you would enjoy. All these things are great for your body and taste delicious! Grab a chip and dig in.
On Toast
Avocado toast is all the fad these days. Instead of bread and butter, we now use avocados as the spread. Once the avocado is on the toast, you can pretty much spread anything else you want on the top such as cucumber, cream cheese, or raw fish.
In Sushi
This is probably my favorite way to enjoy avocado! Learning how to make sushi at home is a skill that is worth acquiring. If you don’t enjoy the raw fish in sushi, you can substitute it with avocado alone, or simply add the avocado slices to all the other ingredients you wish to load into your sushi roll.