15 Reasons To Eat More Guacamole This Week

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One of the best ways to maintain a healthy body that’s free from disease or chronic health issues is to eat plenty of organic fruits and veggies. Everyone knows this, right? But did you know that there is actually a specifically recommended amount of produce that most people should consume each and every day? Your fruit consumption varies depending on many factors, including seasonal ones, but there is one fruit of which you really should eat more. This fruit is safe for diabetics and has so many health benefits, we couldn’t list them all here. We did round up 15 of the best reasons to eat them two or three times each week.

What is this fruit? Avocado, of course.

Most people think avocados are vegetables, but they are actually fruit. If you want super protection from disease and even cancer, and if you are looking for support for healthy body functions, then you will want to keep reading to find out why you should be chewing down on avocados more than you probably do.

Of course, for the best possible health, we need to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in all colors. Some produce, however, stands heads and shoulders above the crowd when it comes to nutrition and health benefits. Avocados are one of these. Read on and discover why you can make yourself a bowl of guacamole tonight and smile while you are enjoying it.

1. Avocado Lovers Are Healthier

It’s true! (According to one study that looked at the dietary habits and overall health of persons who regularly consumed avocados, anyway!) This study analyzed data from almost 18,000 subjects. Those who consumed avocados were found to be healthier than those who did not eat them. The avocado eaters had higher nutrient intakes, were less likely to develop metabolic syndrome, and had significantly less belly fat.

2. Super Heart Healthy

Coronary heart disease is the number one killer around the world. If for no other reason than this, you should eat more avocados. This fruit has been linked to the improvement of heart health. One of the things that avocados have that is super good for the heart is mono-saturated oleic acid, which reduces cholesterol, improving heart health. It’s true that avocados are high in fat; in fact, avocados are one of the fattiest plant foods on the planet, but it’s the healthy type of fat, similar to the type found in olive oil. Oleic acid has been linked to reduced inflammation levels in the body.

3. Cures Bad Breath

You might be familiar with some of the health benefits of avocado, but not many people know that this fruit can cure bad breath. It doesn’t work by cleansing the mouth like mouthwashes do, but it works because it restores proper balance to the stomach and intestines, which is actually where most bad breath starts. If you feel like you have tried everything to stop bad breath, but all your tooth-brushing, flossing, and mouth-washing has done little or nothing to stop it, try eating an avocado every other day for seven to 10 days.

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4. Loaded With Healthy Fiber

Most people would take one look at that creamy avocado and think there is no way that it contains much fiber, but they are wrong. Fiber is described as being indigestible plant matter, which is associated with a much lower risk of disease. Soluble fiber feeds the gut bacteria in the intestines, which is vital for proper digestion, as well as a strong immune system. Insoluble fiber is good for clearing the digestive system of harmful toxins and has been linked to a lower risk of colorectal cancer. A typical 3.5 ounce avocado has seven grams of fiber, of which 25 percent is soluble, and the other 75 percent is insoluble. You get both kinds of healthy fiber in one little avocado, so add one to your lunchtime salad every day!

5. Supports Eye Health

Vision problems can affect anyone at any age, but this is becomes more common as we get older. This is why we should eat more foods that support our eyesight. Avocados should be a part of your plan! Rich in carotenoids called lutein and zeaxanthin, avocados contain antioxidants lower your risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts.

6. Lowers Blood Pressure

Wow! What a great-tasting way to naturally lower your blood pressure. Avocados contain more potassium than bananas, and potassium binds with salt in the body and removes it via urine. Potassium also maintains the electrical gradients in the cells of the body. Numerous studies show that eating foods high in potassium is linked to lower blood pressure levels, which reduces your risk of kidney failure, heart attacks, heart disease, and stroke. Most people do not consume enough potassium-rich foods. Avocados have 14 percent of your recommended daily allowance of potassium. This is quite high when you consider that bananas, which are considered to be a high potassium food, have only 10 percent of your RDA. Just one more reason to add an avocado to your diet each day — or at least every other day!

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7. Incredible Cancer Prevention

If you would like to eat more foods that can help prevent cancer, then add avocados to your grocery list. First, avocados are high in fiber, which is known to help stop colorectal cancer. The high level of oleic acid in avocados is known for killing the cells that cause breast cancer. Avocados naturally fight inflammation as well, which is often the underlying cause of many types of chronic diseases, such as arthritis and Alzheimer’s, as well as prostate cancer.

8. Great Source Of Nutrition

Avocados are often referred to as super foods, and it’s no wonder. All avocados, no matter their size or the variety, are simply overflowing with nutrition that can’t be beat. Avocados have more than 20 different vitamins and minerals including vitamin K, folates, vitamin C, potassium, B vitamins, and vitamin E. They also contain small amounts of magnesium, copper, zinc, iron, and vitamin A. All this for a tiny little 160 calories! Avocados have no sodium or cholesterol and are low in saturated fats. If you want a diet that is full with nutrition and has the fewest number of calories, you can’t go wrong with a delicious, creamy avocado!

9. Improves Your Absorption Of Nutrients

What good do all those nutritious foods you are eating do you if your body can’t use them? One of the great things about avocados is that by adding them to your meals, such as on sandwiches, salads, or in soups, you improve your body’s ability to absorb the nutrients in other foods. In fact, several studies have shown that those who eat avocados absorb more carotenoids (by as much as five times!) than those who don’t add avocados to their meals.

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10. Perfect Weight Management Tool

If you have been struggling to lose some weight, but are finding it hard to do so, we might just have the answer! Although many people who want to lose weight avoid avocados because they are high in fat, this is a mistake. Avocados have been shown in numerous studies to help people lose weight. This fruit provides your body with instant energy that is burned slowly. Other studies show that those who consume avocados regularly have lower BMIs and less belly fat than those who do not enjoy their guacamole. You don’t have to fear healthy fat, like the kind in avocados — only the trans-fats found in junk food and fast foods.

11. Prevents Stroke

Avocados are rich in folates, which have been linked in studies to a lower risk of stroke. These green fruits area also known to lower blood pressure levels, which is also contributes to strokes. If you are interested in better heart health and lowering your risk of having a stroke, then eating avocados is something you would be wise to start doing … today!

12. Prevents Arthritis

Avocados are natural anti-inflammatories, which mean that they can help to prevent arthritis, a terribly painful inflammation of the joints. Avocados are loaded with healthy phytosterols, which prevent inflammation in the body. Eat more avocados — your joints will thank you later.

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13. Prevents Diabetes

The oleic acid we talked about earlier is the ingredient responsible for lowering cholesterol levels in the body. It can also raise good cholesterol levels. It lowers blood pressure levels with its high level of potassium, but the real kicker here is that those mono-unsaturated fats improve blood glucose levels. Avocados are low in sugar, also, which means that even diabetics can enjoy them.

14. Naturally Beautiful Skin

When you consume avocados regularly, you can have beautiful, healthy, glowing skin that will be the envy of everyone. Your beautiful complexion will be due to those mono-unsaturated fats in avocados, as well as those omega-9 fatty acids, which reduce the redness and irritation on the skin surface. Since these fruits also have plenty of vitamin C and E, they will help your body create new skin cells and encourage both elasticity and firmness of your skin. Want that peaches and cream complexion? Think green! Think avocados!

15. Super Delish And Easy To Add To The Diet

What good are healthy foods if you can’t find ways to eat them or if you hate the taste? Everyone loves avocados, and they are so easy to include in just about every meal plan. As we mentioned, you can make guacamole with them, and add it to Mexican dishes or eat it just as it is! Slice avocados into salads and soups. Replace that mayonnaise on your sandwich with a few slices of avocado. Of course, you can always just grab a spoon and scoop them right out of the skin, and enjoy them as they are! If you want to eat only half of an avocado now but don’t want the other half to turn brown and icky, simply squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the other half, and it will last a bit longer in your refrigerator.

Loaded with nutrition, great for the skin, eyes, and heart, they are weight loss friendly and taste like heaven … What more could you ask for?! Grab some avocados today and enjoy!

References:

Ars.usda.gov

Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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