The Incredible Benefits of Eating an Avocado a Day
The avocado is a very interesting, nutritious and healthy fruit. Besides being delicious and nutritious, it’s also very versatile in the kitchen. Today, we’d like to take a look at some of the incredible benefits of eating an avocado a day.
The Benefits of Avocados: Healthy Fat and Cholesterol
Avocados do contain fats, but they’re healthy fats.
They’re great for a diet that protects your hear and reduces “bad” cholesterol in people who are overweight and obese.
Some studies have shown that adding this fruit to your daily diet is not only healthy, but also reduces your levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol.
Take a look at the Mediterranean diet, for example. The Mediterranean diet is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, such as those that extra virgin olive oil or nuts provide. Consuming this type of fat can help reduce 30% of the most serious cardiovascular diseases, such as strokes or heart attacks, in an at-risk population.
Avocado is a source of these fatty acids, but also contains extra nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and fibers.
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An Avocado is Great for Weight Loss
Half of a medium-sized avocado contains about 138 calories. That’s a great amount of energy for a fruit!
In addition, it also contains a good proportion of oleic acid, which is important to activate the part of the brain responsible for feeling full.
For this reason, eating this fruit decreases your desire to continue eating.
There have been several tests conducted regarding the fact that consuming healthy unsaturated fats can help when following and maintaining a diet.
The Anti-inflammatory Properties of Avocados
Avocados, among their many benefits, help to prevent body swelling, especially in the various problems related to arthritis.
Consuming this fruit produces these benefits because of its high phytosterol content. These active ingredients are very important for the inflammatory system, since they help keep swelling under control.
Avocados Have Antioxidant Power
Avocado’s high content of carotenoid, as well as other nutrients, is another important factor among the wonderful anti-inflammatory properties of this fruit.
This fruit is high in antioxidants that are converted to vitamin A, which is essential for healthy eyes.
Your body can use these antioxidants more efficiently if we eat this great fruit daily along with other fruits and vegetables that are rich in carotenoids.
An excellent way to eat avocados is to always add a few slices to all of your salads.
Avocados Protect Against the Risk of a Heart Attack
In addition, this fruit stands out for its healthy fat content which promotes levels of good cholesterol (HDL). This type of cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and possible strokes.
If you have a family history of heart attacks, eating an avocado a day can help you lower your risk of suffering from a heart attack.
Furthermore, if you have a high cholesterol level, look no further than avocados to help you manage your cholesterol.
They Have Positive Effects on Pregnancy
An avocado is rich in folic acids, which help reduce the risk of babies having birth defects.
That is why this fruit is particularly suitable for pregnant women, a time when folic acid supplements are usually needed.
One cup of avocado (200 g) contains one-fourth of the recommended daily amount (RDA) of folic acid. You should remember that folic acid is also very important for cellular health.
In turn, avocado also has the ability to inhibit prostate and oral cancer, as well as other types of illnesses.
Read more on oral cancer: 8 Early Signs of Throat Cancer that You Mustn’t Ignore
They Provide Healthy Fiber Intake
As you probably know, consuming enough fiber is critical for healthy digestion and an overall healthy body.
By consuming avocado regularly, you also prevent the risk of constipation. Just one piece of this fruit provides almost half of the recommended daily amount of fiber.
Avocados Boast Many Vitamins and Minerals
Finally, this fruit is a magnificent source of essential vitamins and minerals.
Did you know that avocados contain more potassium than bananas? They’re also rich in vitamin K, vitamin B5, vitamin B6 and vitamin C.
Vitamin E, in particular, is also an antioxidant and is essential for the proper maintenance of your immune system.
Other benefits, such as improved brain function and the prevention of dementia, all come from a properly functioning immune system.
So what are you waiting for? Start eating an avocado a day today!
