Avocados are the best fruit in the whole world. They are a great addition to sauces, dressings, soups, salsas, salads, healthy desserts, and green smoothies. Many people avoid avocados in their daily diet because they contain a lot of calories (138 calories in half an avocado) and fats (14 g fat in half an avocado). But that’s actually a real shame.
Here are 10 good reasons why you should eat more avocados:
1. Good Fats That Reduce Bad Cholesterol
Avocados consist out of monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acids) which help reduce ‘bad’ or LDL cholesterol and increase ‘good’ or HDL cholesterol.
2. Packed With Essential Vitamins And Minerals
One avocado is packed with many essential vitamins and minerals which are important to keep your body and skin healthy. The most abundant nutrients are potassium, folate, vitamin B, C, K, and E. It contains smaller amounts of magnesium, iron, vitamin A, manganese, and zinc.
FYI: avocados contain more potassium than bananas. Potassium is a very important nutrient most people aren’t getting enough of. It regulates electrical gradients and is involved in various important body functions.
3. Avocados Are Loaded With Fiber
Avocados contain soluble and insoluble fibers. Insoluble fibers improve digestion and keep your colon clean. Soluble fibers fill you up, feed the friendly gut bacteria, and keep cravings at bay.
4. Improves Nutrient Absorption
Not only are avocados loaded with essential nutrients, they improve the absorption of antioxidants and important nutrients from other foods we eat. So adding an avocado or avocado oil to your salads, dressing, veggies, or salsas is definitely a good idea to improve digestion and increase nutrient absorption.
5. Helps You To Lose Weight
They are no weight loss miracle on its own but help to curb your appetite and help you to eat less calories a day. They are high in fiber and protein and very low in carbohydrates or natural sugars compared to other fruits.
Not only the fibers will help you feel full, oleic acid activates the part in your brain that gives you a feeling of satiety.
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6. Protects Your Eyes
Avocados are high in lutein and zeaxanthin, two powerful antioxidants, which help protect your eyes and vision. They may lower the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
7. Protects Your Unborn Baby
If you are pregnant it is important to incorporate avocados into your diet. Half an avocado provides 50% of your daily need of folate, an important vitamin that dramatically decreases the risk of birth defects.
8. Keeps Your Heart Healthy
Folate is not only important for your unborn baby, it also reduces the risk of heart attacks and other cardio-vascular diseases. Its monounsaturated fats are quite resistant to heat, making its oil a healthy and safe choice for cooking.
9. Good Sources Of Plant Protein
If you are a vegan or vegetarian it is important to eat more avocados. They provide all essential amino acids, which are very important for your body to form complete proteins.
10. Anti-inflammatory Properties
Due to its unique combination of nutrients, avocados show strong anti-inflammatory properties. Avocados are often used in cosmetics and may reduce or prevent arthritis or chronic pain.
People who eat avocados on a regular basis tend to be healthier. They are super delicious and easy to incorporate into your diet. A true superfood if you ask me.