Also called alligator pear (because of the shape and texture) this small green, brown or black fruit is filled with wonder. (I called mangoes the superman of fruits well, avocados are the Black Panthers).
At the mention of Avocado, you hear a lot of ‘eww’ or ‘gross’. I’ll forgive all those avocado hating people because I’ll like to believe they don’t know what avocado can do for them. By the time I’m done giving you reasons, I bet you’d plant an avocado tree and worship the fruit where ever you see it. Lol. There are so many things to do with them, you can eat it, make a smoothie with it, smear it on your face or fry your chicken with the oil and the reward for eating these fruits are numerous.
- Avocado is highly nutritious
It’s packed with so much vitamins and minerals; major ones like: vitamin K; vitamin C, which protects against non-hormonal cancer; vitamins B5, B6 and vitamin E and Potassium. And then it has 10 other smaller amounts of vitamins and minerals. Like folate which is important for pregnant women and which reduces a dangerous level of homocysteine in the blood, which predicts cardiovascular diseases. Hard to believe a tiny fruit could give you up to 17 different types of nutrients.
We already mentioned potassium in the 1 above. But we need to understand what this really does. See, potassium is essential because it reduces blood pressure thus averting heart attack, it lowers risks of kidney failure and also heart diseases.
- Avocados are high in monounsaturated fats
There is something called monounsaturated oleic acid, it’s is recommended that you eat foods high in this substance and low in polyunsaturated fats.
This monounsaturated oleic acid reduces the LDL bad cholesterol while increasing the HDL good cholesterol. What does this mean? It means yes avocados are fatty, but they have the right type of fats, these fats lower the bad kind of fats.
- Anti diabetes and good for the diabetics
Monounsaturated oleic acid (Moa) together with dietary fibre helps normalize blood sugar levels which lowers the risk of diabetics.
MOA also reduces high triglycerides levels; this also predicts cardiovascular problems; and helps improve insulin functions and blood glucose levels.
- Good for the skin
Again, the MOA present in avocados help to improve skin tone and appearances. It makes the skin look and feel soft and appear healthy; it also helps maintain good moisture level while controlling acne, blackheads and excessively oily skin. This is why avocado face mask is highly recommended.
- High in antioxidants
These are good stuff; very essential too. Antioxidant caratenoids like alpha-carotene is very important in preventing cancer. And MOA helps in carotenoid absorption which protects specifically against breast cancer. Latein and zeaxanthin which is very important for eye health. They also lower the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration which normally happens to the elderly.
- Extracts from avocado and soybean oil can significantly reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis; arthritis of the bones.
- High in dietary fiber
Fiber is indigestible plant matter, also present on avocados – it helps in weight loss, reduces blood level sugar spikes and metabolic health. This means fiber that guards against diabetics and helps constipation. It’s also good for your heart.
- Weight lose friendly
Avocados contain no cholesterol and sodium. They help reduce bad cholesterol; aid in quicker metabolism even helps burn fats faster. Anyone who wants to lose weight should incorporate a diet of avocado .
So there you have it, one tiny fruit loaded with so much goodness; granted it might not be the most delicious fruit but there are so many ways to eat it, you can spread it on your toast, eat it how it is, blend it into a smoothie, make a dip out of it. I hope you eat and Avocado today.
I am, @Lord__Nina
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