Avocados are a popular fruit and for good reason. They're creamy, delicious, and full of healthy fats. But did you know that avocados can do more than just taste great? Here are five unexpected health benefits of eating avocados:
Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, which can lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, which can lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Monounsaturated fats are good for you because they help lower the risk of heart disease by improving blood flow to the brain. They also help you feel fuller for longer, which can help you lose weight.
Monounsaturated fats improve the health of your heart by:
- Reducing levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol--commonly known as "bad" cholesterol--in your blood
- Lowering blood pressure
Eating avocados regularly may also reduce your chances of having a stroke or developing macular degeneration (a common eye disease that causes vision loss).
Avocados are high in potassium.
Potassium is an important mineral that helps to regulate your heartbeat and blood pressure. It also plays a role in nerve and muscle function, maintaining a healthy digestive system, maintaining normal levels of acidity within the body (which helps prevent kidney stones), and keeping your bones strong. The recommended daily intake (RDI) of potassium is 4,700 mg per day. However, this number may differ depending on age or gender; older adults need more potassium than younger adults because they're more likely to have chronic health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes that require them to take medications that deplete potassium from their bodies faster than usual.
If you're looking for ways to boost your intake without eating avocados every day (or any other food for that matter), here are some ideas:
- Eat more leafy greens such as spinach - one cup contains 105mg!
- Add nuts into smoothies or yogurt parfaits - almonds pack 80mg per ounce while walnuts contain 72mg per ounce!
Avocados can help you lose weight.
Eating avocados can help you lose weight. The fruit is high in monounsaturated fats, which can help lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Avocados are also a great source of fiber and protein, which helps you feel fuller for longer as well as increases satiety levels.
Potassium-rich foods like avocados may help lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and reducing stress on the heart muscle. Potassium supplementation has been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure by up to 5 mm Hg (mm Hg = millimeters mercury). This could be beneficial for people who already have high blood pressure or those at risk for developing it because they have other risk factors such as diabetes mellitus or kidney disease
Avocado leaves can be used as an alternative to latex gloves.
Avocado leaves can be used as an alternative to latex gloves.
The avocado leaf is a good alternative for latex gloves because it's biodegradable, which means it will break down over time and won't end up in landfills. The avocado leaf also contains vitamin C, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation in the body. Avocado leaves may have positive effects on diabetes; some research suggests that they may help lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase that's involved in cholesterol synthesis (1).
The most important thing to remember when using avocado leaves? Make sure they're fresh!
Avocados are good for your skin.
Avocados are good for your skin.
Avocado oil is commonly used in beauty products, but it's also beneficial when eaten. Avocados contain vitamins A, C, and E as well as antioxidants that can help keep your skin healthy and youthful-looking. The omega-3 fatty acids found in avocados have been shown to reduce inflammation and improve blood flow to the skin, which may help prevent wrinkles or blemishes from forming on top of an already existing condition like acne or psoriasis. Avocado has even been shown to help regulate sebum production (the natural oil produced by our hair follicles), making it useful for those who struggle with oily or dry scalps or dandruff due to excess buildup from over-shampooing their hair without giving enough time between washes.*
Don't knock it till you've tried it
Don't knock it till you've tried it.
This is an expression that means don't judge something until you have tried it for yourself. The saying has been around for decades, but its origins are unclear. Some people say that the phrase came from boxing or wrestling; others think it was inspired by the old tale of King Midas who turned everything he touched into gold and thus never knew what anything was really worth or felt like until he could touch again without his golden touch affecting them (i.e., "you never know what's inside the box until you open it"). Whatever its origin may be, this phrase has become popularly used to encourage people not to prejudge things before experiencing them firsthand--whether those things are foods or people!
Conclusion
So, the next time you're thinking about what to put on your sandwich or in your salad, consider avocado. It might just be the healthy choice you didn't know existed!
