An Avocado A Day
By this time, we’re sure everyone has heard of or seen the avocado take over in health circles over the past few years. Almost every cafe or restaurant menu offers avocado to be added to everything from smoothies, to salads, to sandwiches. Although, in some ways the avocado craze may seem like some millennial fad, avocados have long been a part of Latin American cuisine for a very, very long time and for good reason!. It’s presumed that the local people of Puebla have been eating avocados for nearly 10,000 years.This is likely because, not only are they delicious, but they are a powerhouse of vitamins and proteins! This makes them very beneficial in multiple facets of your personal health.
- Heart healthy
An average sized avocado contains nearly 76 milligrams of beta sitosterol. Regularly consuming plant based sitosterol in your daily diet can help maintain cholesterol levels.
- The good fats
Avocados are packed with good fats that are essential for every cell in your body. Consuming these healthy fats regularly can help support skin health and your immune system.
- Building up your bones
Avocados are rich in vitamin K. (About 18% of the daily value.) This vitamin is a must for your bone health in that it helps increase your calcium absorption.
- Lowering the potential risks of cancer
Although further studies are still underway, avocados contain certain compounds that may help prevent onsetting cancers.
Supported by research, the optimal intake of folate has shown to reduce the risks of developing colon, stomach, pancreatic, and cervical cancers. Just half of an avocado contains 59 mcg of folate. This is 15% of the daily value.
Their high fiber amount also aids in digestion. Maintaining your digestion health can lower your risk of colon cancer.
In addition, avocados contain phytochemicals and carotenoids which may also hold anticancer properties.
- Fetal health
The fatty acids and folate within avocados also may also help ensure the healthy development of fetal growth and prevention of miscarriages. It is recommended to consume 600 micrograms a folate a day while pregnant. One avocado can contain as much as 150 micrograms.
Be it on toast, in your smoothie, or in a salad, avocados are worth adding to your daily diet!
