Let’s take a look at the amazing avocado. People have enjoyed avocados for over 500 years and they are becoming increasingly popular in today’s diet. These remarkable little fruits not only offer extraordinary nutrition, but also provide many additional health benefits. Packed with vitamins and minerals, avocados improve a wide variety of health conditions. In addition to all these other advantages, they taste good!
The origin of the word avocado is in a South American Indian language, but the definition has been translated over the years into English to mean “crocodile pear.” Contrary to the common misconception that an avocado is a vegetable, it is actually a fruit that belongs to the berry family. Avocados are native to regions as far north as Mexico and northern South America. They are generally harvested when they reach full maturity and do not ripen until after picking. The most commonly grown variety in the US is the Hass avocado, which is the only type that is produced year-round. Hass avocados have a blackish-green skin with a black pebble texture and come from California.
In addition to being delicious, avocados contain around 20 vitamins and minerals, including carotenoids and lutein, which benefit eye health. They have also been shown to have a positive impact on high cholesterol due to their natural composition of plant sterols. Like olive oil, they contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are much healthier than the saturated fats that are so detrimental to fitness. Because they are among the few fruits that contain these good fats, the American Heart Association has endorsed the inclusion of avocados in the diet. Did you know that the brain is approximately 60% fat? Without good fats, none of us would be here today! Also, without monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, vitamins A, D, E, and K cannot be absorbed by the body.
Avocados offer health benefits for people with heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and lung cancer, and may help prevent strokes. They are superior sources of vitamins A, B, C, E, K, fiber and potassium. When substituted for saturated fat, they can have a positive impact on the outcome of people whose goal is weight reduction. Although more research is needed, the results of a study conducted at UCLA indicate that an avocado extract may even slow the growth of some prostate cancer cells. Another study showed that the vitamin E content in avocados can help develop hormones that can increase libido.
In addition to their tremendous nutritional value, avocados offer a long list of additional benefits. They are among the first fruits a baby can eat due to their natural softness and a smart first dietary addition because they offer excellent nutrition. Avocado is used in cosmetics as a general moisturizer and an excellent natural sunscreen, as well as providing relief after sunburn. The high moisture content is also beneficial for people with dry scalp and skin, eczema, or psoriasis. Due to its attractive scent, avocado oils are often used by massage therapists as a form of aromatherapy.
Beyond its unmistakable health benefits, an avocado is a tasty and versatile fruit used in many cuisines and favorite dishes, the most common of which is probably the ever-popular addition to parties: guacamole! Other appetizing recipes include EUR dips, dips and salads and have you tried a pineapple avocado smoothie? The avocado also complements the crab, zucchini and mushrooms very well.
Bottom line: Avocados are exceptionally nutritious, have an interesting and appealing flavor, are easy to prepare, and are one of the best natural sources of healthy dietary fats. They are relatively cheap, plentiful, and offer a wide range of health benefits. Next time you’re in the produce department, be sure to pick up a couple of these nutritional gems. If you don’t already use them often, adding avocados to your menus is sure to inspire your creativity in the kitchen and improve your well-being!