Why are avocados good for you? Here are just 5 good reasons.
I have been dairy free for almost 2 years now. I have increased my intake of avocados in a lot of different food that I eat. I substitute avocado for a lot of ingredients where I would like a bit of flavour and instead of a spread, pickle or relish. I also find that avocado has been great for increasing my fat intake during menopause. My skin was becoming quite dry and itchy and I have found that increasing my good fats with avocado, linseed and sunflower seeds have really helped.
I would eat at least 1/2 an avocado a day.
Avocados have health benefits that include improving digestion, decreasing risk of depression, and protection against cancer. Avocados contain 20 vitamins and minerals. Eating a diet that contains plenty of fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. Numerous studies have found that a predominantly plant-based diet that includes foods such as avocados can help to decrease the risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and overall mortality while promoting a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, and overall lower weight.
Although most of the calories in an avocado come from fat, don’t worry about that. Avocados are full of healthy, beneficial fats that help to keep you full and satiated. When you consume fat, your brain receives a signal to turn off your appetite. Eating fat slows the breakdown of carbohydrates, which helps to keep sugar levels in the blood stable. Fat is essential for every single cell in the body. Eating healthy fats supports skin health, enhances the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, and may even help boost the immune system.
1. Great for vision. Avocados contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two phytochemicals that are especially concentrated in the tissues in the eyes where they provide antioxidant protection to help minimize damage, including from ultraviolet light. As the monounsaturated fatty acids in avocados also support the absorption of other beneficial fat-soluble antioxidants.
2. Osteoporosis prevention
Vitamin K essential for bone health. Half of an avocado provides approximately 25 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin K. This nutrient is often overlooked, but is essential for bone health. 3. Cancer Prevention.
Adequate intake of folate from food has shown promise in protecting against colon, stomach, pancreatic, and cervical cancers.
Avocados may even have a role to play in cancer treatment, encouraging the proliferation of immune system cells called lymphocytes.
4. Lower risk of depression
Avocados are high in Folate. Foods containing high levels of folate may help to decrease the risk of depression because folate helps to prevent the build-up of homocysteine, a substance that can impair circulation and delivery of nutrients to the brain.
5. Improved digestion Despite its creamy texture, an avocado is actually high in fibre with approximately 6-7 grams per half fruit. Eating foods with natural fibre can help prevent constipation, maintain a healthy digestive tract, and lower the risk of colon cancer.
These are just a few of the benefits so grab an avocado. Avocados have had a great season this year and they are in abundance and cheap. Even more reason to include them in your diet.
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