Consuming avocado means taking care of your health thanks to all the nutrients it has to offer.
Many will be surprised to know that it is a fruit, and there is no doubt that it is a fruit with a great uniqueness. Be that as it may, this article presents all the properties and benefits of a food whose consumption is recommended to the whole family.
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10 properties and benefits of avocado
Avocado is increasingly appreciated around the world, even though it cannot be grown at any latitude. This has caused its price in the market to increase in recent years, and there are already those who speak of “green gold”.
In some cases there are situations that are problematic due to the conditions of production, so it is the responsibility of the consumer to worry about the origin of the product. That said, below are what the main properties and benefits of avocado are.
1. Provide healthy fats
Avocado is a food rich in healthy fats. These are monounsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid, very present in a product as recommended as olive oil. This type of fats make avocado have very good properties and benefits for the functioning of the body and to fight different types of diseases.
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2. Contains many vitamins
This fruit is very nutritious and rich in vitamins. It emphasizes its contribution in vitamins B5, B6, C, E and K, although it also contains small amounts of vitamin A, B1, B2 and B3. It is, therefore, a highly recommended food to ensure that there are no vitamin deficiencies. People who consume healthy foods do not need to buy vitamin supplements, as they are already granted by their diet.
3. It is a source of minerals
As with vitamins, avocado provides many minerals. It is a type of micronutrient that is essential for the body to carry out different vital functions. For example, minerals are very important for nerve spread, bone health, or enzyme activity. However, its contribution in calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc stands out.
4. It has antioxidant properties
Avocado has many antioxidant substances , such as zeaxanthin and lutein. These are molecules that allow us to combat free radicals that cause oxidation in the cells of the body. Eating foods rich in antioxidants, therefore, allows us to combat the appearance of diseases of all kinds. And to the surprise of many, there where there are more antioxidants is in the seed, which can be eaten grated.
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5. Take care of the cardiovascular system
Heart disease causes many health problems, but avocado can help . Various studies have shown that avocado can significantly reduce blood cholesterol levels, as well as triglycerides. It is therefore a protective factor that helps fight atherosclerosis and different types of heart disease.
6. It is a source of fiber
Avocado is a great source of fiber . You have to consume foods rich in fiber to promote gastrointestinal function, and all fruits and vegetables are an excellent option for this. Many people surely had not considered that it was possible to consume the seed, but it is the part of the fruit with the most concentrated fiber. It can be grated and baked a little to consume it more comfortably.
7. Helps Fight Inflammation
Some phytochemicals in avocado fight tissue inflammation . This is especially relevant to avoid internal inflammation of the organs. In Western societies it can be seen that there are many people with a swollen abdomen. This is due to stress, a sedentary lifestyle, and the fact that the diet is not always adequate enough.
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8. It has antitumor properties
Different phytochemicals in avocado fight the appearance of cancer cells . This is mainly due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of these molecules, and is that they prevent different complications that can appear in the tissues in which a cancer cell first appears. Basically they make it more difficult for this type of abnormal cell to thrive.
9. Contributes to weight loss
The idea that fat makes you fat is widespread but it is false . The fact that avocados are high in monounsaturated fats is great news for figure-conscious people. Various studies have confirmed that those who take avocado lose more weight than those who do not, and that is that what must be avoided are sugars.
10. It is versatile in the kitchen
There is no doubt that avocado can be employed in many ways. It is an ideal ingredient for salads, whether lettuce or tomato-based, and combines very well with mozzarella cheese and other foods. Also a toast can be easily spread with crushed avocado with a fork, and then you can put on top anchovies, salmon, etc. Not to mention recipes like guacamole.
- You might be interested in: “Organic foods: what they are, and 6 benefits of consuming them“
References
- Fernandez, O. (2013). My anticancer recipes: Food and anticancer life. Barcelona: Uranus Editions.
- Jessop, L. (2017). avocado. Barcelona: Editorial Five Inks.
- Martin, A. (2013). Eat to be better. Barcelona: Grijalbo.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.