Why Avocados Are Good
Avocado is the fruit of a tree scientifically called Persea americana. It is prized for its high nutritional value and rich texture. Avocado is very popular with health advocates and is often referred to as a for its beneficial properties. There are several varieties of avocados, distinguished by shape, color, taste and weight (200 g – 1.4 kg). The birthplace of avocados is Central America and Mexico. They are often confused with the definition of avocado: in appearance, the fruit resembles a nut, in chemical composition and taste it is a vegetable, but an avocado is considered a fruit.
Why avocado is healthy
The fruit has a huge number of advantages, which makes it an almost irreplaceable product. So, avocado:
- contains a lot of potassium;
- serves as a source of healthy fats;
- rich in fiberand useful for dietary nutrition;
- lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels;
- accelerates the absorption of nutrients;
- Loaded with antioxidants
- increases sex drive.
Nutrients in Avocado:
- calorie content of avocado per 100 g – 160 kcal;
- water – 72 g;
- fats – from 14.66 g;
- proteins – 2 g;
- carbohydrates – 8.53 g.
Vitamin content in avocados (% of the daily value):
- vitamin K – 26%;
- folic acid – 20%;
- vitamin C – 17%;
- vitamin B5 – 14%;
- vitamin B6 – 13%;
- vitamin E – 10%;
- potassium – 14%.
Avocado Diet
Avocados can be added to the diet to strengthen the body, long-term satiety, prevent diseases and as an additional source of nutrients for weight loss. Avocado dishes involve both the use of the raw fruit and its heat treatment. For example, avocados can be used to make salads, guacamole, sauces, sandwich spreads, smoothies and homemade mayonnaise. The pulp is added to pasta and cereals, baked in the oven in a peel. Avocados go well with fish and seafood, lemon juice, poultry, and most vegetables.
Avocado harm
Despite the huge number of useful properties, it is worth using avocados in moderation. It can cause allergies; if you are going to taste avocado for the first time, start with a small serving. And you definitely shouldn’t eat exclusively avocados – any mono-diet is harmful to health, since it cannot provide the body with all the necessary substances. The pulp of the fruit contains a lot of fat, so nutritionists do not recommend overusing avocados for people with liver disease and digestive problems. The peel and bone of the fruit are toxic and cannot be eaten.
This fruit contains beneficial monounsaturated fatty acids, which have a beneficial effect on the body: they help improve heart function, stabilize blood lipids, reduce the risk of developing diabetes and provide fast satiety. It has also been found that fatty acids are actively involved in the synthesis of natural antidepressants, thereby reducing the level of anxiety, having a positive effect on the central nervous system. And the antioxidant glutathione in avocados helps prevent chronic fatigue.
So, now you know all the great sides of avocados and use them for the betterment of your health.