The Truth about Avocados and Your Health

Are avocados as glorious as claimed?

In the health and wellness community, avocados (namely of the Hass variety) truly are the fruit of the Gods. But why do so many of us worship this creamy, delicious “Alligator Pear” and swear by its magic? Well, today we’re here to tell you that the avocado is surely worth the hype, at least according to us – and we’ve got 5 reasons to back that up:

1. They’re incredibly nutrient-dense, and also help you absorb other nutrients

The nutritional value of avocados is off the charts. They contain an abundance of nutrients like calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, phosphorous, iron, as well as vitamins C, K, D, A, B6, B-12, E, riboflavin, thiamin, and more… and are a really great source of fiber and potassium. And when you eat avocados along with other nutrient-dense foods, the absorption of these nutrients by the body is significantly enhanced (by as much as 5 times).

2. They’re heart-healthy

Avocados have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels dramatically while helping to prevent arteriosclerotic vascular disease due to its beta-sitosterol properties. In addition to this, the generous levels of potassium present in avocados play a role in helping to reduce the risk of heart complications due to its tendency to reduce tension in the arteries and blood vessels.

3. They’re beneficial to the bone

Avocados contain certain properties that are linked to a reduced risk of bone problems, such as osteoarthritis. They also contain copious levels of important minerals that are linked to improved bone mineral density and osteoporosis prevention. Impressive!

4. They help to fight cancer

The avocado is thought to aid in lowering the risk of certain cancers, like breast and prostate cancer. This is because the avocado contains magical carotenoids, as well as a heap of powerful antioxidants like Glutathione, which help to protect our cells from the harmful effects of free radicals and ultimately, cancer.

5. They help protect your vision

Avocados actually aid in protecting your eyes from certain eye diseases and issues, such as cataracts and macular degeneration, because of the powerful carotenoids present in the fruit – primarily the carotenoid lutein.

While avocados truly do provide a multitude of health benefits due to their nutrient-rich quality, many people steer clear of them altogether because of their high fat content. But trust us… your body will benefit from this incredible fruit so long as you don’t over-indulge! And remember, while they may be very high in fat (healthy fat!), they’re tremendously low in cholesterol.

The high-fat content also makes avocados so ideal for ketogenic diets, which follow a high-fat, low-carb approach to bring the body into a metabolic state of ketosis. If you’ve ever been interested in trying the ketogenic diet, we can help you every step of the way through our 28-day Keto meal plan!