Is avocado a fruit or a vegetable? Do you know? Stay tuned. We’ll answer this question at the end.
Whether vegetable or fruit – it’s super healthy!
I’m excited to share with you the surprising avocado health benefits, how to shop for the best ones, and why it’s a superfood to eat every day.
Are avocados good for you?
Absolutely! Avocados can be enjoyed every day.
Today, I’ll share with you the many health benefits of eating avocado and great ideas on how to incorporate this food into your meals the fast, easy, and tasty way! Let’s get right on it.
7 Fascinating Avocado Health Benefits
So, what’s good about eating avocado? And is it safe to eat it daily?
Check out these amazing avocado health benefits that many people never knew about this power food!
1. Avocados inhibit cancer.
Did you know that avocados can help prevent some types of cancer?
In fact, a study done by Ohio University showed that the nutrients in an avocado can help thwart cancer cells in the mouth. Additionally, researchers discovered that certain elements found in avocados help destroy cancer stem cells. Cancer Stem Cells (CSC) have been identified within a tumor and have the capacity to self-renewal and to differentiate into other cancer cells.
CSCs are resistant to conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatment and that CSCs are very likely to be the origin of cancer metastasis. CSCs are believed to be an important target for novel anti-cancer drug discovery.
This statement alone is a huge reason to eat more avocados! Do you agree?
There are so many things in our environment that are touted as healthy to eat that actually promote the growth of cancer cells, it’s wonderful news to find a food that naturally helps fight them. God is amazing in His provision for us and our health!
2. Avocados are an antibacterial food.
Gut and brain health is something I teach a lot. When our gut is healthier, our brain is healthier. (No more brain fog!) Gut-brain health starts in the mouth.
Eating avocados helps to balance the bacteria in the mouth to ensure oral health. It kills bad bacteria and keeps good bacteria plentiful.
3. Avocados are loaded with nutrients and antioxidants.
Did you know avocados have antioxidant flavonoids? Yes, it’s a powerhouse of nutrients.
Avocados also have these nutrients:
- Vitamins C, E, and K
- Fiber
- Protein
… And many more!
Actually, there are a total of 20 vitamins and minerals in avocado, with only 80 calories. That’s a whole lot of nutrition packed into a low-calorie food!
Did you see the list above included fiber and protein? Remember, these two nutrients are essential to a healthy diet. Hopefully, you haven’t tired of me saying it yet. I want you to be healthy, so you’ll probably hear it again and again. 🙂 Anyway, they are two of the major components of an avocado which makes it a super addition to one’s diet.
4. Avocados have healthy fats.
Some “experts” used to say don’t eat avocados because of too much fat.
But the fat in avocado is unsaturated fat. And of course, never any trans fats.
This is why avocados are good for you: natural God designed foods never have mechanically altered trans-fats.
These monounsaturated fatty acids have health benefits to include:
- Help with weight loss
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower heart disease risk
- Decrease inflammation
No wonder avocados are amazing!
Healthy fats also help the body absorb and transport specific fat-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A, D, K, and E. Without a fat transport these vitamins are not metabolized. Which lessens the ability for us to benefit.
Avocado nutrients are numerous!
5. Avocados help decrease LDL.
Another avocado health benefit is the reduction of bad cholesterol levels: LDL. In fact, healthy fats have shown to lower LDL by 22% naturally.
Are you, like me, more and more glad avocados contain healthy fats?
Check out this video where I discuss the numerous avocado health benefits and additional things you never knew about this superfood!
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6. Avocados help maintain healthy kidneys.
Avocados support kidney health. If you have kidney issues, add avocados every day.
But it is not exactly the best for those with hyperpotassemia (an imbalance in potassium levels). If this is the case for you, you get a pass on avocados.
For most people though, they need the potassium found in avocados, which helps to cleanse and keep kidneys healthy.
7. Avocados are fruits!
Fruits are always filled with antioxidant and anti-aging properties so this makes avocados an even better health choice.
The health benefits of avocados keep growing. I know as we learn more about this powerfully packed fruit we’ll discover avocados were created to bless in more ways.
How to Choose the Best Avocado
Do you love guacamole? Great! Then you need to choose the best avocado to buy.
How do you know if an avocado is ripe and actually good?
Find an avocado that’s firm, but has a bit of give to it. An avocado with a little bit of give to it means it should be ready immediately.
That doesn’t mean to avoid buying ones that are firm with no give. It’s OK to buy unripe avocados to enjoy later in the week.
I recommend putting them in a brown bag. They should be ready in two to five days.
Put them in a bag with two apples or a kiwi to make it ripen faster.
Steer clear from avocados with dark spots. It should be smooth and free from any spots, which means when cut up, it’s absolutely flawless. Bumps, on the other hand, are perfectly fine.
Now that the benefits of avocados are clear, I hope you’ll add them to your healthy grocery list.
Quick and Easy Tips on How to Eat Avocados
Maybe you’re wondering what to do with them in your kitchen.
Here are fun ideas on how you can enjoy avocados – and I’m sure your family will love these meal ideas, too!
1. Guacamole Dip or Spread
Guacamole is a great place to start. Making your very own guacamole is so fast and easy in a food processor. In minutes, your creamy guacamole should be ready to go.
Use guacamole as dip for your healthy, organic stone-ground corn chip.
You can also add guacamole to your yummy and healthy black bean burger for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
2. Add-On to Your Salad or Toast
Or, how about just cut them up and add them to your salad? You only need a few ingredients for this – organic greens, some olives, cherry tomatoes, and maybe some goat cheese for that burst of flavor.
I would also have a couple of slices of avocados, mash them up or lay them over my toast. Then, top it all off with some eggs, and that’s one power-packed breakfast.
3. Smoothie Special Ingredient
Another quick way to enjoy avocados is in your smoothie. All you need is a good blender to start making a smoothie for a nutritious and quick breakfast, snack, or post-workout drink.
I have a quick and super nutritious immune-boosting smoothie recipe with avocados that you should check out.
4. Other Ways to Use Avocado
Avocados are also a great addition to your deviled eggs, potato salad, chicken salad…
And lastly, you can make chocolate pudding with avocados. Yes, believe me, it’s good.
The list goes on!
Eat More Avocados to Reap the Amazing Health Benefits
There are limitless ideas on how to incorporate avocados into your meals.
Now that you know so many of the health benefits of avocado, I hope you’ll share with me what your favorite recipes or ways to eat them are. Let me know in the comments, and I can’t wait to read them soon!
ANNETTE REEDER
Annette holds a B.S. in Nutrition plus a Diploma of Biblical Studies. She has been studying food, nutrition and medical science for over 30 years. "I am here for one purpose, to awaken you to the simple vibrant health that God has designed for you!"
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