This article is a guest post written by Long Island Heart Associates, a top-ranked New York Cardiologist.
No matter how you eat it – mashed up as guacamole, sliced into a turkey or
chicken sandwich or simply chopped into chunks as part of a healthy salad,
there is no doubt that avocados taste fantastic.What many people don’t realize, however, is that this humble fruit is actually good for you – and is a great source of essential amino acids. Avocados contain only monounsaturated fat, which unlike saturated fat has loads of health benefits. Not only that, but avocados have no cholesterol at all (only animal products contain cholesterol) and can actually speed up your basal metabolic rate.
Feel Full for Longer
Avocados can help dieters feel full for longer, thanks to their high-fat content which is completely healthy. What’s more, they contain oleic acid, which is an omega-9 fat commonly found in olive oil, which most people find incredibly easy to digest. Also known as an “alligator pear,” they are rich in both vitamins and minerals.
Avocados can also:
*help lower blood pressure
*help produce healthy, glowing skin
*help the body to better absorb other nutrients that can help in the battle against cancer, such as carotenoids, which are plentiful in both carrots and spinach
*help prevent the oxidation of bad cholesterol thanks to their high Vitamin E content
*help the central nervous system to function better because of their high Vitamin B6 content. A deficit of this important vitamin – along with potassium, which is also plentiful in avocados - has been linked to
depression and chronic fatigue
*aid in reducing the risk of lung cancer ( according to some studies), as it is packed with fibre, potassium and Vitamin A
*be used to treat nervousness, constipation and insomnia
*be used to boost male fertility and help erectile dysfunction
*increase the absorption of lutein, lycopene, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene in the human body. Lutein can help prevent against the eye disease macular degeneration, among others.
Avocados can help dieters feel full for longer, thanks to their high-fat content which is completely healthy. What’s more, they contain oleic acid, which is an omega-9 fat commonly found in olive oil, which most people find incredibly easy to digest. Also known as an “alligator pear,” they are rich in both vitamins and minerals.
Avocados can also:
*help lower blood pressure
*help produce healthy, glowing skin
*help the body to better absorb other nutrients that can help in the battle against cancer, such as carotenoids, which are plentiful in both carrots and spinach
*help prevent the oxidation of bad cholesterol thanks to their high Vitamin E content
*help the central nervous system to function better because of their high Vitamin B6 content. A deficit of this important vitamin – along with potassium, which is also plentiful in avocados - has been linked to
depression and chronic fatigue
*aid in reducing the risk of lung cancer ( according to some studies), as it is packed with fibre, potassium and Vitamin A
*be used to treat nervousness, constipation and insomnia
*be used to boost male fertility and help erectile dysfunction
*increase the absorption of lutein, lycopene, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene in the human body. Lutein can help prevent against the eye disease macular degeneration, among others.
The
Healthy Option
Avocados are delicious, healthy fruits (not a vegetable, as many people mistakenly think) that can be eaten raw for best result, as far as both flavor and health benefits are concerned. For this reason, recipes containing avocados are easy to prepare, and they are also tasty, filling, and cholesterol-free. You can even grow your own, as long as you find a place that promises all-day sun away from the dangers of frost and excessive wind. Plant in spring but don’t plan any recipes yet – the tree will only bear fruit within three-four years’ time!
Avocados are delicious, healthy fruits (not a vegetable, as many people mistakenly think) that can be eaten raw for best result, as far as both flavor and health benefits are concerned. For this reason, recipes containing avocados are easy to prepare, and they are also tasty, filling, and cholesterol-free. You can even grow your own, as long as you find a place that promises all-day sun away from the dangers of frost and excessive wind. Plant in spring but don’t plan any recipes yet – the tree will only bear fruit within three-four years’ time!
Sources:
Stop by the blog tomorrow for Avocado-Eating Tips
Thanks Jessica and Ashley!
