Including avocado with your meals may help you feel
fuller for longer and reduce the urge for overweight adults to eat more,
according to new research just released on the consumption of avocados.
Researchers at Loma Linda University investigated whether
adding fresh avocado to a midday meal had any effect on insulin response, blood
sugar levels, feelings of fullness and food intake for the rest of the day.
Their initial findings determined that there was indeed a
basis for further research into the benefits of adding avocado to a meal or
replacing some parts of the meal with fresh avocado
The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) is currently financially
supporting several clinical trials to discover if there is a relationship
between increased consumption of avocados and positive effects on diabetes,
weight management and risk factors of heart disease.
In the meantime, here are 10 health benefits of avocados
that we already know:
1. Benefits in pregnancy
Avocados are a natural source of folate which contains
folic acid and is important for the development of a healthy fetus. Synthetic
versions of folic acid are recommended for all women who are planning to get
pregnant; eating avocados is a simpler and tastier option!
2. Avocados are brimming with ‘good’ fats
You may have heard that you should avoid avocados due to
their high fat content. This is not quite the case. While they are very high in
fat (and calories) these are monounsaturated fats or ‘good fats’. They assist
good heart health and help to lower blood pressure. The monounsaturated fats
found in avocados can also help to reverse insulin resistance which can lead to
the development of type 2 diabetes.
3. Fantastic source of Vitamin E
Avocados are the fruit with the highest level of Vitamin
E (yes avocados are a fruit!) Vitamin E is an essential vitamin and helps to
maintain overall health. Vitamin E also has positive effects on heart disease,
stroke, cancer prevention, and development of cataracts and is widely claimed
to have anti-aging properties.
4. Source of dietary fiber
Avocados contain both soluble and insoluble fiber meaning
they help to reduce cholesterol levels by preventing re-absorption, help to
maintain bowel function and can assist the body to avoid blood sugar spikes
after meals.
5. You know exactly what you’re getting when you buy an
avocado
At the time of writing there are no genetically modified
avocado crops. Avocados have such a thick skin that the inner fruit is
protected from pesticides making the cost of organic avocados something you can
bypass if you're on a super-tight budget.
6. Avocados are a ‘brain food’
Dr. Daniel G. Amen considers them one of the best
brain-healthy foods that you can consume to help reduce the risk of developing
Alzheimer's. Omega 3 fatty acids as well as Vitamin E are naturally occurring
in avocados and have been clinically proven to stop Alzheimer's disease from
progressing and possibly even reversing the very early stages.
7. Better nutrient absorption
Adding avocado to a meal has been found to increase the
amount of carotenoids absorbed from that meal by up to 5 times. Carotenoids
include beta carotene and lycopene which are important nutrients for good
health. This increase is through to be due to nutrients and enzymes in avocados
that reduce stomach inflammation and inflammation in the small intestine’s
mucous lining. So you not only get the powerhouse of nutrients contained in the
avocado but you get greater benefits from the foods you choose to eat with it.
8. May aid in stroke prevention
The high folate levels that are beneficial to pregnant
women may also play a part in reducing the incidence of stroke. Those who eat
diets that contain a lot of folate have been shown to suffer stroke far less
than those who eat less folate in their everyday diet.
9. Reduction of cholesterol
One study has shown a 17% decrease in cholesterol levels
for participants who ate increased amounts of avocado for just one week.
Researchers believe this is due to beta-sitosterol which has previously been
found to assist in lowering cholesterol levels.
10. Protection for your eyes
Eating avocados can increase your levels of Lutein which
protects against macular degeneration and the formation of cataracts. Further
research is needed to determine exactly what it is that may assist in
Adding an avocado into your daily diet and reaping the
above benefits is so easy. Avocado is great added to salads, made into
guacamole and even eaten alone with ground pepper and a few drops of olive oil.
It can also easily be substituted for fats in cooking and baking. Take out the
oil or butter and replace it with the same amount of avocado. You’ll add
interesting flavors to your cooking and will be helping your overall health.