5 Health Benefits of Avocados
Avocados are known for their healthy fats, but some of you may be surprised to learn that avocados are actually a fruit, not a vegetable. Popular in many dishes for its creamy consistency and filling properties, it actually contains a significant amount of water and fiber. Thanks to these nutrients, research shows that avocados have a variety of health benefits, and we’ll cover five of them in this article.
recipes
Quesadilla with Turkey and Avocado
4 years agoLauren Dawes
1. Avocado is rich in nutrients
There are different varieties of avocados, but the Hass avocado in particular contains the following nutritional values per 100 grams of product:
- 167 calories
- 15g fat (10g monounsaturated)
- 6 g of carbohydrates
- 8 g of fiber
- 3 g of protein
A standard serving is about ¼ of the fruit (30 grams), most people eat half an avocado in one meal, which is approximately 70 grams.
2. Avocado supports heart health
Clinical studies from the 1990s initially showed that avocados, despite their high fat content, had a positive effect on cholesterol levels by lowering LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels. There are currently no officially published studies linking heart health and avocado intake. However, avocados have similar health benefits to nuts, which have been shown to benefit heart health (but nuts have more calories per 100g).
3. Avocados can aid digestion
With its creamy texture, it’s hard to believe that avocados are a good source of dietary fiber. Experts recommend consuming between 25-35 grams of dietary fiber per day for healthy digestion, and half an avocado can provide about five grams of that. Fiber helps us feel fuller and can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
4. Avocados can help you lose weight
Because of its high fat and fiber content, avocados are not only delicious but also satisfying. Fat, like fiber, slows down our digestive process – it keeps food in our stomach for a longer period of time and makes us feel fuller and more satisfied. Like other fruits, avocados are an excellent part of your weight loss regimen. Clinical research shows that despite its calorie content, avocado is a healthy fruit that you should include in your menu when you want to lose weight.
5. Additional health benefits
Thanks to the phytochemicals or plant compounds in the avocado, it can also support eye health and skin health thanks to its lutein and zeaxanthin content. Both our eyes and our skin are subject to the aging process. Therefore, consuming foods high in phytochemicals have many potential health benefits. Looking for something other than avocado toast to snack on? Try our quesadilla recipe…
Conclusion
In conclusion, avocados are not only delicious, but also rich in nutrients from healthy fats to phytochemicals. Including avocados in your meals and snacks is a great way to add more nutrients to your day.
