While loaded with health benefits, avocado also happens to be one of the tastiest and most versatile foods on the planet. Existing in a league all its own, the popular staple makes for a perfect add-on to a host of savoury dishes. Eat it with salads, eggs, tacos, sandwiches, burgers and more to crank up the dials on flavour, texture, and nutrition alike. Then we have mighty guacamole, an avocado-based snack that can be downright addictive when executed properly.
# PotassiumAvocados are rich in potassium; potassium is one of the best friends your body has. Most people do not get enough potassium which can lead to strokes, heart attack, high blood pressure, and kidney failure.
Avocados are one of the best things you can eat to get potassium. Most people got for bananas for potassium, but you would have to eat two bananas to get the amount your really for a day. Instead, you can eat one avocado in varying ways and get a little more than the daily suggested amount.
# Monounsaturated Fatty AcidsMonounsaturated fatty acids are amazing for keeping your heart healthy. The main fatty acids found in avocados (and olives) is called oleic acid. This oleic acid is used for its helpful effects on cancerous genes and inflammation.
# CholesterolAvocados have been shown to increase HDL (good cholesterol) and lower LDL (bad cholesterol), and lessen the number of triglycerides in the blood. All of these things put together can help to lower high cholesterol levels.
# Plant NutrientsBecause of the fatty acids in an avocado, the fruit helps your body to absorb the different minerals and vitamins that are good in your body. Eating the food the mineral or vitamin is found in is a good start, but sometimes the vitamin or mineral has to be mixed with something to be taken in. Some of the different minerals and vitamins that need a little help from the fatty acids are vitamins K, D, E, and A; carotenoids; and antioxidants.
# FiberFiber is vastly important for the functioning of the body. It helps the body to digest food and because it helps the digestive tract, it, in turn, helps to speed up your metabolism. Fiber also helps with weight loss, lowers the chances of various diseases, and keeps spikes in blood sugar from happening.
# Improve Eye HealthThere are a couple of antioxidants that can help to improve and preserve eyesight. Two of them are zeaxanthin and lutein. Avocados have both of them! Add more avocado to your diet to improve your eyesight over time.
# Cancer
There has not been a lot of research done on this, but there have been ‘test tube’ studies that show avocados can stop the spread of prostate cancer and lessen the side effects of chemo. Another benefit of avocados is that that the antioxidants in them can fight off different kinds of oral cancers and illnesses.
# Soothe Arthritis PainThis one is a bit interesting. Studies are showing that the oil extracts of soybeans and avocados can soothe arthritis. Rubbing avocado oil on your painful joints or eating avocado regularly may help to ease joint pain and other arthritis symptoms.
# Vitamins B and CThese two vitamins are very important to your body and you have to eat something with the vitamin in it every day to keep up with the proper amount you are supposed to have. You can eat some guacamole or spread some avocado on toast. Eating foods with these vitamins, you want to be sure that you are drinking plenty of water. Vitamins C and B need to bond together with water to really do some good for your body.
# Trace ElementsThere are a number of what are called ‘trace elements’. They usually come in small amounts, but your body still needs them. Avocados have copper, magnesium, and iron. While eating avocados won’t add crazy amounts of these minerals to your diet, it can still help a little.
# Protein
Protein is needed for growing proper muscle mass. Avocados are extremely high in protein but have a low sugar content. So if you are vegetarian or vegan and are tired of eggs and the frozen soy-based fake ‘meats’, eat some avocado.