What is an Avocado?

Avocado is a a bright green fruit that belongs to the family of lauraceae; a group that also includes members such as cinnamon.

Avocados are low in sugar. And they contain fiber, which helps you feel full longer.

They contain a wide range of nutrients and may have various health benefits. These include improving digestion, lowering the risk of depression, preventing bone loss, supporting heart health, protecting against cancer, and more.

Avocados are known as nutrient-dense food. They are a powerhouse of nutrients such as;

• Fats – they are full of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, known as good fats. Avocado consumption is linked to lower levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol.
• Vitamins – avocados are rich in vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K.
• Fiber – avocado are rich in digestive fibers.
• Minerals – avocado contains folate, calcium, magnesium, and sodium.
• Antioxidant – avocado is one of the best fruits which has a lot of antioxidants.

Here is why you should eat avocado

1.    Rich in nutrients

Avocados are a source of vitamins C, E, K, and B6, as well as riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, and potassium. They also provide lutein, beta carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Avocados contain high levels of healthy, beneficial fats, which can help a person feel fuller between meals. Eating fat slows the breakdown of carbohydrates, which helps keep blood sugar levels stable.

Fat is essential for every single cell in the body. Eating healthy fats supports skin health, enhances the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, and even helps support  the immune system.

2.    Healthy for the heart

Avocados contain a phytonutrient called beta-sitosterol that has been shown to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Regularly consuming beta sitosterol and other plant sterols may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, which are important for heart health.

Avocado contains a natural plant sterol called beta-sitosterol. Regular consumption of beta-sitosterol and other plant sterols help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. They also keep your heart arteries and veins healthy.

3.    Great for vision

Consuming an avocado in your diet is beneficial for your eyes. They are full of antioxidants and beta-carotene that are beneficial for the eyes. The high amount of vitamin A in it also helps reduce the risk of macular degeneration that develops with old age.

4.    May help prevent osteoporosis

Avocado contains Vitamin K which is essential for bone health. Taking in enough vitamin K can support bone health by increasing calcium absorption and reducing the urinary excretion of calcium.

5.    Improving digestion

Avocados are full of digestive fibers to keep your gut system healthy. Fiber adds bulk to the stool, which facilitates bowel regularity, thereby enhancing digestion. They help to prevent constipation, indigestion and lower the risk of colon cancer.

6.    Natural detoxification

Adequate fiber promotes regular bowel movements, which are crucial for the excretion of toxins through the bile and stool. Dietary fiber also promotes good gut health and microbial diversity. This helps the body maintain a healthy bacterial balance. This can reduce inflammation and aggravation of the digestive tract.

7.    Avocados Boost Satiety and helps to lose weight

Eating healthy fats helps slow stomach emptying, which keeps you full longer than usual and delays the return of hunger. It is used widely in weight loss diets due to the presence of dietary fibers. It controls your weight by keeping you full longer and making you eat fewer calories. Avocados are very low on carbs too, which also promotes weight loss.

8.    Regulates blood pressure 

Avocado is a good source of minerals, especially potassium and sodium, that keep your blood pressure stable. Stable blood pressure helps stave off the risk of heart attack or stroke.

9.    Essential for a healthy pregnancy 

Avocados are a good source of folate. Folate is important for a healthy fetal development. Adequate intake reduces the risk of miscarriage and neural tube abnormalities. Avocados also contain fatty acids that are integral to a healthy diet and fetal development.

10.  Keeps your skin shiny

Avocado is a powerhouse of various nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids. Hence, it is essential for healthy skin. They are mainly rich in vitamin C and vitamin E giving your skin a natural glow.

Avocados are excellent fruit in every term of diet. They are full of various nutrients that make them super-fruit. They are useful in different forms;

• Eat them with toast

• Make a tasty smoothie

• Make a guacamole and enjoy alone or with other foods

• Eat it with your breakfast, lunch or dinner

• Add them on vegetable salad