You Will Never Guess Which is the Healthiest Fruit in the World

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4. Protect Your Unborn Baby

Folate, a vitamin which is vital for the prevention of birth defects, is something every mother or mother to be should be consuming. Just one cup of avocado will give you 25 percent of your daily recommended intake. So if you are pregnant, or are planning on becoming pregnant, you should be adding avocados, instead of pickles, to that ice cream craving you get! Even if you aren’t at the craving stage just yet, eat an avocado anyway, it’s good for you and your baby!

5. Crazy at Cancer Fighting

Carotenoids are plant-based precursors to vitamin A and one of the carotenoids that are found in avocados, beta-carotene, is well known as a crazy cancer fighter. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications published a study in August of 2013 that found that consuming beta-carotene can inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors, especially those associated with neuroblastoma, a very aggressive cancer that tends to affect young children.

6. Supports Healthy Vision

Avocados contain two other carotenoids, zeaxanthin and lutein, which are naturally found in high concentrations of the macula of the eye. These two carotenoids are well known for supporting healthy eyes. The American Macular Degeneration Foundation found that zeaxanthin and lutein, when taken as supplements, can prevent age-related macular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness and vision loss in people over the age of 50. You don’t have to take supplements, however; you can get all that goodness for your eyes by eating more avocados, and it’s that easy.

7. Helps You Lose Weight

Yeah, we hear that about a lot of things, but with avocados, it’s true! Just half of one avocado has almost 4 grams of fiber, both soluble and insoluble, which your body needs to keep your entire digestive system working smoothly. Soluble fiber slows up the process of breaking down carbs in your stomach, which means food stays in your stomach longer, making you feel full for a longer period of time. The oleic acid in avocados also activates a part of your brain that tells you that you are full and to stop eating. The unsaturated fats in oleic acid also give you feeling of satisfaction and satiety, unlike the trans-fats that are found in many processed foods and junk, or snack foods. So when you want a snack, think green! Think avocados!

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