10 Proven Health Benefits of Avocado
They say,
“Avocado is like your better half who will never fail you”…
An extremely popular ‘superfood’ of the millennials, avocado is quite a powerhouse of health perks! Creamy and utterly delicious, this is one versatile food item gifted from our dear Mother Nature to her fondlings.
1. Highly Nutritious…
Scientifically called the Persea Americana, avocado is highly valued for it’s nutrient content. When added to a variety of your daily meals, it provides an exuberant texture, and not to forget, a lot of flavour. Vitamin K, Folate, Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin B5, B6 and E – all are there in this fruit. Moreover, it also consists of magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, zinc, niacin, riboflavin (small amounts of these). All these add up to 160 calories, 15 grams of healthy fats, 2 grams of protein and 9 grams of carbs.
2. Lowers Cholesterol…
A cup of avocado provides you with 32% of the fat which your body requires every day. It is mono-saturated fat, and therefore, proves extremely helpful for your health. This is the reason why your cholesterol levels can dip. It reduces the blood triglycerides by up to 20%, LDL cholesterol by 22% and increases the HDL cholesterol by 11%. It also lowers the risks of having a stroke and other heart ailments.
3. High Potassium Level…
Now,this is one nutrient that many of you do not intake enough. Potassium maintains your electrical gradients of the cells, and therefore serves multifarious significant body functions. Avocado is high on this nutrient! A 100 gram serving of it contains 14% of your recommended daily intake. In comparison to bananas, avocado has way more potassium content that helps to lower your blood pressure, thus, saving you from heart attacks, kidney failures and strokes.
4. Osteoporosis Prevention…
About half of any avocado offers 25% of your everyday requirement of Vitamin K which is crucial for bone health. It supports your body by maintaining a healthy set of bones by increasing your calcium intake. By lowering your urinary excretion where most of your calcium gets away, it prevents you from suffering osteoporosis.
5. Good Vision…
Lutein as well as zeaxanthin – these are two carotenoids which avocado contains in abundance. They are important to your overall eye care as they protect the eyes from all harmful light waves. This eventually reduces your chances of contracting eye diseases.
6. Loaded with Fibre…
Fibre, as you all know helps to reduce weight, blood sugar and is highly connected with a lower risk of many diseases. 100 grams of this fruit contributes to providing 7 grams of fibre which is 27% of your recommended daily intake. This increases the metabolic rate that helps you to burn calories in a faster and effective manner. The avocado contains both soluble and insoluble fibres which also aid in lowering your bad cholesterol levels. It further helps in maintaining a healthy bowel function and ensures that your body evades the blood sugar spikes after every meal.
7. Fat Content…
Consuming nutrients is not the sole thing that should matter for your overall health. Your body must be able to absorb the nutrients, moving them from the digestive tract and finally to your body so that they can be utilised in a proper manner. Many nutrients are fat-soluble as they require to be coupled with fat for utilisation. Fat soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K are all present in avocado. So, if you add this item or it’s oil to your breakfast, then your antioxidant absorption rate can triple!
8. Reduces the Risk of Cancer…
Folate intake from food in an adequate manner has helped many people from having pancreatic or cervical cancers. The reason for this prevention is yet to be discovered. However, researchers have found out that folate protects you from having an undesirable mutation in your DNA as well as RNA during cell division. The phytochemicals extracted from avocado helps in inhibiting the growth of cancerous as well as pre-cancerous cells in your body. It encourages the immune system to boost! The phytochemicals further lower chromosomal damage caused by the chemotherapy drug, cyclophosphamide.
9. Detoxification…
Have you ever wanted your body to get rid of all those toxic materials that you have incurred from consuming junk foods? If yes, then having avocados daily on a regular interval aids your body to undergo a natural detoxifying process. The amount of fibre present in it helps in promoting a healthy and regular bowel movement that proves highly essential for your daily excretion of bodily toxins. Medical studies conducted recently have also shown how the dietary fibre present in an avocado works wonders by regulating your immune system and your inflammation.
10. Avoid Arthritis…
A common problem faced by almost all of people across the globe, arthritis is indeed a chronic issue that may make you suffer for the rest of your life. However, today, we have experts who recommend avocado for lowering your chances of getting this disease. How far can it help is an issue yet to be known by medical experts though.
Now, you have got 10 whole points on how rich & beneficial avocado is for you!!
How about going an extra mile? Here is an added point which you may find helpful. Avocado can help during your pregnancy. One cup of it provides you with 25% of your daily folate which is very good for both you and your baby. Having it regularly ensures that you enjoy a healthy motherhood!