April 30, 2019 · Written by Foodtolive Team
The Secret Superpower of Avocado
Avocados are one of the popular foods available, especially on the internet! It’s no surprise honestly, given the numerous health benefits this tiny superfood provides. Not only is it a versatile ingredient for many dishes, but they taste great on their own. After extensive research, we’ve concluded that avocados are actually more effective at keeping doctors away than apples are. Here’s why:
1. Avocados are high in nutrients
According to the USDA, a single avocado has about 65 calories, six grams of fat, 3.4 grams of carbs, less than a gram of sugar, and close to 3 grams of fiber. Additionally, avocados are rich in vitamins, from C, E, K, B-6, potassium, and a plethora of others.
The fats in avocados are healthy, unsaturated fats that every person needs for healthy brain and body function. When you eat these healthy fats, your brain receives the signal to “turn off” your appetite. Fat also helps your body digest and metabolize carbs, regulating your blood sugar throughout the day.
The healthy fats in avocados also help boost the appearance of your skin and help your hair and nails grow long and strong.
2. Heart Healthy
In addition to the healthy fats your heart needs to function properly, avocados have high amounts of beta-sitosterol, which is a natural plant sterol found in nuts and seeds. Plant sterols do a lot to help lower cholesterol and keep your heart healthy.
3. Avocados can protect your eyes
Eating an avocado every day over a while can help protect your eyesight. Avocados contain two phytochemicals: lutein and zeaxanthin, which are found in your eye tissues. Lutein and zeaxanthin give your eyes antioxidant protection, which minimizes damage, especially from UV rays.
Additionally, avocado’s monounsaturated fatty acids help your eyes soak up other helpful fat-soluble antioxidants. In other words, avocados have the potential to lower your risk of developing macular degeneration as you age.
4. Avocados help prevent osteoporosis
We are used to hearing about the importance of calcium for strong, healthy bones, but did you know that vitamin K is just as essential? A whole avocado will give your body nearly 50% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin K. Vitamin K lowers your risk of osteoporosis by helping your body absorb and retain calcium better.
5. Avocados can help your mood
Eating an avocado every day may not be able to cure depression, but it can do a lot to help your body and brain produce the necessary chemicals to fight it.
Perhaps this superfood’s greatest superpower is its ability to help decrease the risk of depression due to the food’s large amount of folate.
Folate works to prevent homocysteine from building up, which keeps nutrients from circulating and reaching your brain. Plus, too much homocysteine impedes serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine production.
These chemicals are what regulates your mood, sleep, and appetite. And of course, having a balance between these three things will do wonders for those coping with depression.
