Avocado Uses and Health Benefits
The Avocado Advantage: Uses and Benefits of This Tropical Fruit
As most of you know, I do not advocate consuming large amounts of fruits in your diet. Most fruits are high in fructose, which can mess up your insulin and leptin levels, putting you at risk for obesity and chronic diseases.
Fruits are good for you, as long as they are consumed in moderation.
But here’s good news: not all fruits are loaded with fructose. In fact, there’s one exceptional fruit that I highly recommend adding to your diet because of its excellent nutritional profile and delicious and versatile flavor. It’s the avocado, which you should never ignore from now on.
The History of the Avocado
Avocado, also called “alligator pear” due to its tough green skin, is native to Central and South America, and has grown in these areas since 8,000 BC. It was introduced to Jamaica in the mid-17th century and spread through the tropical Asian regions in the mid-1800s.
It was only in the early 20th century when the avocado was introduced to the United States, specifically in California and Florida. Today, these tropical states are two of the major commercial producers of avocados, alongwith Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Colombia.
Avocado Health Benefits That You Probably Don’t Know About
Avocados are very low in sugar, making them one of the safest fruits to eat. But there is actually more to avocados than their low-fructose properties.
Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fat. As I’ve frequently mentioned, removing unhealthy grain carbs from your diet is one of the best ways to support your health and manage your weight. However, upon eliminating these carbs, you must increase your intake of healthy fats. Avocados are one of the most exceptional sources, along with coconut oil, organic raw butter, and raw nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pecans.
Personally, I eat a whole avocado almost every day, which I usually mix in my salad. This increases my healthy fat and calorie intake without increasing my protein or carbohydrate intake, which may have detrimental effects on my health.
Aside from providing healthy fats, avocados give you close to 20 essential nutrients, such as potassium, which helps balance your vitally important potassium to sodium ratio.
Avocado’s Amazing Uses
Avocado is a very versatile fruit. Its creamy flavor goes well with many foods, making it a refreshing and nutritious addition to various recipes. Try adding it to your salads, sandwiches, smoothies, and even dips.
Avocados can also be beneficial when used topically, as they have nourishing and moisturizing properties. Even the oil extracted from its flesh (avocado oil) can have many cosmetic uses.
More Interesting Trivia About Avocados Right at Your Fingertips
I’ve created the infographic “The Amazing Avocado: Facts About This Food” to illustrate the benefits and uses of avocado. Here, you will learn:
- The history of this food, its uses during the ancient times, and the origin of its name
- Avocado’s health benefits and uses in the kitchen
- How it can help beautify your hair and skin
Plus, discover lesser-known but interesting facts, such as how to determine an avocado’s ripeness without cutting it in half.
I believe that most people would highly benefit from adding avocado to their diet. If you are still not convinced of this fruit’s value to your health and wellness, I highly recommend checking out this infographic. Chances are it will become one of your favorite foods!
Dr Mercola