Many of us have heard the phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” However, what’s this new trend of having an entire avocado each day? What are the benefits of eating avocados and why is it so important?
Weight loss
One of the benefits of having an avocado would be weight loss. According to the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, avocados keep you feeling full for three to five hours after having a meal. This helps you stay away from any extra cravings you may have.
Blood pressure
According to the American Heart Association, avocados are rich in potassium which helps regulate blood pressure by reducing the effects of sodium in the body. Additionally, potassium lessons the tension in the blood vessel walls, which aids in lowering the blood pressure.
- Cholesterol
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University found that avocado helps with the reduction of LDL cholesterol. LDL stands for low-density lipoproteins and is called the “bad” cholesterol because a high LDL level leads to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries, according to a health website run by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Researchers also stated that it is possible that there is a fiber in the avocado that helps lessen the effects of cholesterol.
Pregnancy
Avocados are a huge benefit when it comes to pregnancy. According to the parenting brand What to Expect, avocados are filled with folate, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin B6. What to Expect also discusses how avocados encourage brain growth in a baby and helps with the morning sickness.
Absorption of nutrients
Avocados are also great for absorption on nutrients and not just providing. In The Journal of Nutrients, researchers found that avocados help absorb the nutrients we need such as alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene.
Eye health
Avocados help provide the essential nutrients needed that help benefit our vision. According to the US National Library of Medicine from the National Institutes of Health, avocados contain two ingredients that are needed for eye health called lutein and zeaxanthin. As we age, our intake of these ingredients lessen and avocados have a great source of these ingredients that can help benefit our vision. These ingredients can even help fight blindness.
Osteoperosis prevention
Avocados can help avert osteoporosis. International Osteoporosis Prevention defines osteoporosis as a disease that causes the density and quality of bone are reduced. When bones become fragile, the risk of fractures increase. According to Medical News Today, avocados have an abundance of Vitamin K which helps increase the absorption of calcium that is also contained within the avocado.
Easy to snack on
Avocados are a great snack to keep! They’re convenient to have and delicious to eat. You can have an avocado spread on a toast, put them in your salad or soup. Having these snacks everyday will help benefit you in many ways.
Sources:
https://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/10-reasons-eat-entire-avocado-every-day/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4222592/
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure/how-potassium-can-help-control-high-blood-pressure#.WvD5c6QvzZ4
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/01/07/375653050/take-a-swipe-at-bad-cholesterol-eat-an-avocado-a-day
https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/135/3/431/4663712
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3664913/
https://www.iofbonehealth.org/what-is-osteoporosis
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270406.php
https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/eating-well/week-11/big-nutrition-small-packages.aspx
https://medlineplus.gov/ldlthebadcholesterol.html
