Health Benefits of Avocados

Avocados are nothing to be afraid of even though they are high in calories and fats. This is because the calories are also high in essential nutrients which will fill you up and reduce cravings for other foods.

The fats in avocados are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which are good for you, as they can help to lower your bad cholesterol levels, while maintaining your good cholesterol levels. Therefore the health benefits that you can obtain from these fats are numerous, for by adding them to your daily diet you can enjoy a long and healthy life.

Nutritional Information

1 medium avocado contains roughly 306 calories, of which over 90 percent come from fat. But the good thing is that over 60 percent of those fats are monounsaturated, and about 20 percent are polyunsaturated. Another good thing that you may not know is that avocados do not contain any cholesterol.

Avocados are high in vitamin K, dietary fiber, potassium and omega 3 fatty acids, and contain other essential nutrients such as copper, folate, magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, vitamins A, B6, C and E. You may or may not be surprised to discover that avocados even contain vitamin B12 in small amounts.

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Antioxidants

Avocados are not only high in fat, but they are also high in antioxidant vitamins such as vitamins A, C and E. These work together to flush out harmful toxins which studies have shown are the number one cause of diseases.

According to these studies, these antioxidants can help to protect you against age related diseases such as cancer, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts.

Vitamin A helps to remove dead skin cells from your body and increases the production of collagen which helps your skin to remain soft, smooth and wrinkle free.

Potassium

According to studies avocados contain 60% more potassium than an average banana. Potassium is essential in helping to regulate muscles as well as the heart beat.

One study revealed that a daily consumption of 400mg can reduce the risk of stroke by 40%. 400mg amounts to roughly 1/2 cup of sliced avocados daily.

Potassium also helps your skin to maintain its elasticity in order to prevent wrinkles and dry skin.

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Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated Fats

It is these fats that cause most people to shy away from eating avocados, but what they do not know is that the mono and polyunsaturated fats are essential to your health. On top of the vitamin A which helps to clean the skin, the healthy fats also contribute to healthier and younger looking skin.

In Addition, avocado oils can help to improve your memory, boost the immune system, promote good bone health, increase energy, and help in weight loss.

These fats help to create an essential hormone which prevents the body from burning muscle cells, which in turn helps to burn more fat cells. This hormone also helps to speed up the process of absorbing glucose from the bloodstream and turning it into energy. Therefore it is essential for weight loss, as it will increase your energy levels so that you will exercise more and eat less. In addition, diabetics can also benefit from this hormone as it will help to regulate their blood sugar levels so that they do not rise too high.

Fat soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E and K cannot be absorbed unless there is fat present in the body to transport them throughout the body. Therefore, by adding a few slices of avocados to your meals can help you to increase the absorption of these beneficial vitamins.

Protein

Avocados are a good source of protein, and even contain a small amount of vitamin B12, which makes them the perfect substitute for meat. Like meat, avocados will also help you to feel full, and thus they can prevent you from overeating and reaching for other junk foods.

Due to the high amounts of proteins and other nutrients, avocados will not only prevent you from becoming malnourished, but they will also help to restore nutritional imbalances.

Adding Them to Your Diet

Avocados are fairly easy to add to your diet, as they go well with just about anything on your menu. They go well in vegetables salads and guacamole, and in vegetable wraps and sandwiches you can add them as slices or use them as a spread. They are also good in smoothies, or you can eat them as they are, right out of the pebbly shell.

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BkCreative Level 6 Commenter 22 months ago

Isn't it so lovely to know that food - is there to keep us healthy? And it does and it works and it's safe.

Thanks for this reminder and a very informative hub. Avocado has so many healthy benefits!

TheListLady Level 3 Commenter 22 months ago

Seems we are finally realizing that food is there to heal us not harm us. We'd never have to count calories if we ate healthy foods. Avocado is a winner. And I also read it is an aphrodisiac. Of course.

Rated up! Great information!