Avocados have a notorious reputation for being one of the world’s healthiest foods, but why? They are loaded with fat (the healthy kind) and they have nutrients that help keep your heart and skin better than ever before. Did you know that an avocado is a fruit, not a vegetable? You would think most fruits are sweet, but that is not the case with the creamy buttery avocado. With all of the news buzzing around about the avocado, we thought it would be fun to point out some of their amazing qualities you might have never heard about before.
Fun Facts
- Avocados are fruits that grow on trees, and there are hundreds of different types of avocados.
- Even though avocados are high in unsaturated fat, they are cholesterol free entirely.
- In just one avocado, there are over 20 different vitamin and minerals making this fruit almost better than your daily multi vitamin!
- Avocados are the symbol for love and fertility in the Aztec culture.
- Even though the meat of the avocado is protected by its thick skin, it is best to wash the outside of an avocado before cutting into it to avoid any bacteria to seep into its buttery goodness (1).
So why all the rage about avocados in the first place? There have been many studies done out there about how they can prevent heart disease, and give you a healthier and longer life. Loaded with fiber, the avocado can make you feel full in no time at all and keep that hunger at bay. It is easy to tell when they are ripe and ready to enjoy, and they enhance any football game spread to make it even yummier. There are a number of healthy recipes out there to enjoy, one of them being the Shrimp Salad With Avocado Dressing. Try it out, and enjoy the benefits of avocados!
What vitamins and minerals do avocados have? They are loaded with copper folate, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, and pantothenic acid just to name a few. Avocados also contain carotenoids, and because of the high fat content the absorption of those carotenoids is maximized. According to the World’s Healthiest Foods, “Most researchers are agreed that the high levels of monounsaturated fat in avocado—especially oleic acid—play a role in these heart-related benefits. Nearly 15 out of the 22 grams of fat (68%) found in one cup of avocado come from monounsaturated fat.” (2).
Sadly, heart disease is the leading cause of death in America and there are many people out there who need a solution. Luckily, eating healthy, not smoking, and staying active are ways to combat heart disease. They are much less expensive than hospital services, and they are more enjoyable too. Eating healthy includes eating avocados, as they provide you with many healthy fats to keep your ticker strong. In a study done, it is quoted “According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, good fats are those that can lower bad cholesterol levels and are beneficial when consumed in moderation. Avocados contribute good fats to one’s diet, providing 5 grams monounsaturated fat and 1 gram of polyunsaturated grams fat per 50g serving.” (3).
Next time you are walking down the aisle at the grocery store, pick up an avocado or two and experiment with some recipes found here. Not only will it curb your appetite, you will also feel better for the entire day! Be sure not to overdo your consumption of avocados if you are watching your weight, because anything in excess is never going to be good! They pack on calories quickly, so enjoying them in moderation is key to living balanced and healthy life!
Resources
- https://www.thedailymeal.com/cook/14-things-you-need-know-about-avocados
- http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=5
- https://www.avocadocentral.com/nutrition/avocados-good-fats-heart-health
- https://recipes.ps1000program.com/recipe/shrimp-salad-avocado-dressing/