Avocado For Healthy Life
September 25, 2009
People, who remain obsessed counting food calories, stay away from avocados from the fear of weight gain. However, these weight conscious individuals miss the healthy nutrients found in avocado.
Several studies as well as real life observations have shown that consuming avocado in moderation is good for health. To stay healthy, you can safely consume two tablespoons of avocado every day.
Nutrients in avocado
Avocado is rich in vitamin K, potassium, folate, vitamin C, copper and dietary fibers. It is a high calorie fruit. You would get 235 calories from a cup of avocado. Avocado is a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acid. It is the second largest source of monounsaturated fatty acid, preceded only by olive. It also contains some amount of polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids. Compared to banana, avocado contains greater amount of potassium.
Good for the heart
Avocado is a heart friendly fruit. It helps to increase the level of HDL or high-density lipoprotein or good cholesterol in the blood stream. Moreover, it also helps to reduce LDL or low-density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood stream.
Oleic acid, a form of monounsaturated fatty acid present in avocado, helps to reduce the bad cholesterol level in the blood stream.
Avocado is also a natural source of beta-sitosterol, which helps to decreases blood cholesterol level. Researchers have found that consuming avocado regularly, helps to reduce total blood cholesterol level by about 17 percent in one week. Avocado is also rich in potassium.
Potassium facilitates blood circulation. Smooth blood circulation prevents heart diseases developing from blood clotting. Avocado also contains folate, which is also considered good for the heart.
Prevents cancer
Laboratory studies have shown that avocado could prevent certain cancers. Oleic acid found in avocado could prevent breast cancer. Plant nutrients, such as lutein, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin and tocopherols, found in avocado could prevent androgen dependent and androgen independent prostate cancers. These nutrients present in avocado could also prevent oral cancer.
Reduces hypertension
Avocado is beneficial for people suffering from hypertension. This fruit could help to reduce blood pressure level.
Good for the eyes
Avocado is good for the eyes. Carotenoids present in this fruit could prevent cataract, glaucoma and astigmatism.
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