Avocados are a versatile fruit that have many health boosting benefits. Along with providing a substantial amount of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) they are also a naturally nutrient-dense food containing at least 20 vitamins and minerals. Here are some of the healthiest reasons to consider adding more avocados into your diet…

 

1. Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Avocados have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and contribute towards good health. A recent study showed that even eating half an avocado a day can help to prevent heart disease and diabetes according to scientists. An avocado a day may help to lower bad cholesterol, reducing your risk for heart disease according to health researchers.

Previous studies have also suggested that avocado is a cholesterol-lowering food. This is the first study according to researcher’s knowledge, looking at the health implications of avocados beyond their monounsaturated fatty acids.

 

2. Aids Digestion and Weight Management

Avocado is the ideal food for anyone wanting to keep their digestion system healthy or to manage their weight. Containing 20 grams of monounsaturated fat per avocado, researchers say it has the proven ability to lower cholesterol, prevent hunger pangs and even spot-reduce belly fat. This makes it the ideal food to consider adding into your diet if you are wanting to lose weight.

One study of almost 30,000 people found that those who ate avocados regularly were a third less likely to be overweight. They were found to weigh more than half-a-stone less (7.5lbs) on average and had a waist that was more than an inch slimmer, and a BMI one unit lower.

 

3. Provides Liver Protection

Avocados produce a powerful antioxidant known as Glutathione. This is needed by the liver to filter out harmful substances, providing protection against liver damage. Avocados can provide good support for detoxing the body, battling inflammation and helping to fight off liver injury.

 

4. Promotes Youthful Skin

It is the rich level of healthy fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can improve your skin from the inside out. Avocados contain oleic acid that can help to reduce inflammation, lowering redness in the skin and preventing wrinkles.

Avocados are a good source of Vitamin E and along with being nutrient-rich, can boost collagen production in skin from the inside out. Eating avocados is essential for maintaining good skin and looking younger than your years.

 

5. Don’t Forget The Nutritious Seed!

Many people throw away the avocado seed, believing it is useless. Yet, there are many nutritious benefits to adding avocado seed into your diet. One of these is that the avocado seeds contain a concoction of antioxidants, responsible for fighting inflammation.

Avocado seeds contain high concentrations of catechins and procyanidins, antioxidants that reduce inflammation associated with pain, swelling, stiffness and impaired joint function. When these antioxidants are paired, it can promote good heart health and circulation. Adding avocado seed into your green smoothie can only add more nutritious benefits!

 

How To Prepare Avocado Seed

Using a large sharp knife, cut the avocado in half. Whack the knife down hard on the seed so it sticks onto the blade. Using the edge of the cutting board, dislodge the seed from the knife blade. Carefully cut the avocado into quarters with a sharp knife.

You can throw the avocado quarters into a powerful blender, creating a fine powder. Divide the powder into two piles – one for serving and the other for storing within a container in the fridge.

As the seed powder can be rather bitter on its own, it’s important to make sure the other ingredients are relatively strong. Then you are free to add the nutritious seed powder into any smoothie of your choice!

 

Recommended Examples

That Protein – Happy Hemp and Baobab Super Protein – The perfect accompaniment to your avocado smoothie is to combine with a super protein powder. Helps to maintain healthy skin, reduce tiredness and fatigue, build and maintain muscle, help iron absorption and naturally support a healthy immune system.

That Protein ‘Happy Happy Hemp and Baobab Super Protein’ is a sherbety, zesty raw organic baobab powder, super high in Vitamin C and blended with the organic plant power of omega rich hemp protein.

Contains 32g of protein per 100g or 8g per 25g serving. Available from Good Health Naturally.