Posted : 2014
Author : the admin
Native to Mexico
and Central America, avocados are well known
for their numerous health benefits, as well as for their delicious taste. No
matter if you eat them raw or juice them, avocados should be part of your daily
diet, since they will increase you mineral and vitamin intake, and will also
lower the long-term risk for various diseases and ailments – including some
that can be fatal. If you are still not sure whether you should start eating
avocados regularly, here are six strong reasons to do so:
1. Avocados Are Very Rich in Carotenoids
Avocados contain a plethora of nutrients, and carotenoids
(lutein, in particular) are certainly the most important ones, given the fact
that they protect you against eye disease. Your sight is by far one of your
most valuable assets, and while it is true that it inevitably degrades as we
age, there is something we can do to slow down the process and even reverse eye
disease, in certain cases. As is often the case, it starts with a good,
balanced and nutritious diet – one that involves eating at least one avocado
per day, since this is undeniably the best way to get the carotenoids (from
lutein and alpha-carotene to beta-carotene, tocopherol and zeaxanthin) that
your body so much needs. Besides this, avocados taste great, and you can easily
add them to your salad – this is certainly the best way to increase your daily
lutein intake, rather than resorting to pills and dietary supplements.
2. Avocados Are Great for Lowering Your Cholesterol
As you may already know, there are two types of cholesterol:
the ‘good’ cholesterol and the ‘bad’ cholesterol. The latter can wreak havoc on
your arteries and your vital organs, if you don’t do something about it. It
often happens that fatty foods and sugar are the main culprits behind high
levels of bad cholesterol, but fortunately you can easily keep it under control
by simply eating avocados on a regular basis. By consuming avocados, you
lower your cholesterol in a fast, efficient, natural and side-effect-free way –
mainly due to the high amounts of oleic acid present in this delicious fruit.
By lowering your level of LDL cholesterol due to its high folate content,
avocados will also lower your risk of developing heart disease.
3. Avocados Are Your Greatest Allies in the Battle Against Extra Pounds
If you are trying to lose some weight, there is no easier
way to do it than by consuming more avocados, and for a good reason. These
fruits are very rich in fiber, which are known to fill your stomach and make
you feel full for a long period of time. On average, one medium-sized avocado
contains around 7 grams of fiber, both soluble and insoluble. Fibers are
essential for the health of your immune system – especially the soluble ones,
since they help your body break down carbohydrates. On the other hand, the
oleic acid content described earlier also ‘tricks’ your mind into thinking that
you are full, which means you will likely reduce your average food intake. This
feeling of satiety is precisely what makes avocados your greatest allies in the
battle against those extra pounds.
4. Lower Your Blood Pressure
Hypertension is a condition that affects millions of people
around the world, and unfortunately it is often ignored due to the fact that it
is asymptomatic, which means that it typically has no noticeable signs
whatsoever. However, many people neglect their hypertension until it is too
late and it has already caused extensive damage to their heart, veins and arteries. Avocados
can help lower your blood pressure in a natural and efficient way, since they
are very rich in potassium and magnesium – two essential compounds for treating
hypertension. As a matter of fact, avocados are richer in these two nutrients than
most other fruits, such as bananas or kiwis.
5. Avocados Will Improve Your Blood Flow and Keep Your Brain
Healthy
These two aspects are interconnected, since a brain can only
be healthy if the blood flows correctly throughout the body. However, impaired
blood circulation is very common these days, and avocados can help improve your
blood flow, despite being a fatty food that has a high caloric index. This is
why avocados are highly recommended for both adults and the elderly, since it
can prevent or at least slow down the decline of your cognitive abilities.
6. Avocados Can Reduce the Risk for Breast Cancer
The incidence rate of breast cancer has increased a lot over
the past several years, and this is known to be one of the most aggressive
types of cancer out there. Fortunately, a balanced diet that includes at least
half an avocado per day can reduce the risk for breast cancer, thanks to their
high content of monounsaturated oleic fatty acid, vitamin E and lutein. Not
only are avocados rich in carotenoids, but they also help your body absorb the
carotenoids from other fruits and vegetables. These ‘superfoods’ are also great
for preventing prostate cancer, and it is believed they can even be added as
part of the treatment scheme for the disease because the tocopherol content in
avocados inhibit the growth of androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells,
according to a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. The
vitamin E also turns off what are known as ‘signaling agents,’ which stimulate
the production and reproduction of cancer cells, thus slowing the progression
of this potentially fatal disease.
To sum it all up, avocados should become part of your daily
diet, regardless of how you choose to consume them. No matter if you eat
avocados because of their unique taste or simply because you care about your
health and overall well-being, these superfoods will certainly benefit you in
the long run. However, you must be careful not to exceed the recommended daily
amount of avocados, since these fruits are very fatty and could have the
opposite effect in great amounts – especially if consumed for their weight-loss
properties and high fiber content.
~Blog Admin~
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