The Surprising Benefits of Avocado

Did you know that avocado is an excellent substitute for mayo, sauces, and salad dressings? Due to its low carb content, it fits into any diet and adds flavor to your meals. This fruit boasts large doses of omega-3s, filling you up quickly. It also lowers inflammation, slows down aging, and gives your skin a healthy glow.

Need more proof? Here are some surprising benefits of avocado:

Promotes Cardiovascular Health

This delicious fruit is packed with monounsaturated fats that benefit your heart. When consumed as part of a balanced diet, it reduces bad cholesterol and high blood pressure. Moreover, it prevents plaque buildup in the arteries. Avocado is also rich in potassium, which helps maintain your electrolyte levels in a healthy range.

Fights Inflammation

Oleic acid, one of the healthy fats in avocado, boasts natural anti-inflammatory properties. It also suppresses the expression of genes linked to cancer and improves cardiovascular function. Eating avocados can help relieve the pain caused by arthritis, gout, and Crohn’s disease, and other inflammatory conditions.

Improves Eye Health

Rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, avocado keeps your eyes healthy and protects against oxidative stress. These nutrients have been shown to reduce the risk of macular degeneration, cataracts, and vision loss. They accumulate in the retina, filtering out phototoxic light and scavenging free radicals.

Supports Weight Loss

Many dieters avoid this fruit because of its high fat content. According to researchers, avocado actually promotes weight loss. In a clinical trial, subjects who consumed avocado reported a decreased desire to eat and reduced hunger over the next five hours. The fiber and healthy fats in this fruit suppress appetite, keeping you full longer.

Lifts Your Mood

Folate, one of the key nutrients in avocado, helps lowers homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is a naturally occurring substance that blocks the production of dopamine and serotonin, the body’s “feel-good” hormones. Due to its high folate content, avocado lifts your mood and boosts serotonin levels in the brain. In the long run, it helps ward off depression and improves brain function.

Keeps Your Bones Strong

Loaded with minerals, avocado strengthens your bones and lowers the risk of cartilage defects. When consumed regularly, it may help prevent osteoarthritis and increase bone density. This makes it particularly beneficial for seniors.

These are just a few of the many benefits of avocado. Try it yourself – it’s not only delicious but healthy too!