You Should Be Using Avocado Oil
By Sara Butler
Cooking oil is always a hotbed of controversy. It’s been discovered recently that coconut oil isn’t all it’s cracked up to be in the heart health department, and vegetable oils have been known for quite some time to be unhealthy due to the way they’re processed. So, what’s the answer? Extra virgin olive oil is great for cooking but you may want to consider avocado oil, too! Here’s the skinny on just how good avocado is for your health!
It’s Good for Your Heart
Avocado oil is up there with extra virgin olive oil when it comes to how heart healthy it is. It’s high in monounsaturated fats, fats that have been linked to less inflammation in the body and improved heart health.
Avocado oil also happens to be an excellent source of beta-sitosterols, plant compounds that help to lower bad cholesterol levels and promote blood vessel health. That means adding avocado oil to your diet might help to lower your risk for heart disease – the number one killer of Americans today.
It Keeps You Young
Healthy fats are important for the health of your skin. Avocado oil is packed with antioxidants such as Vitamin E. This vitamin helps to fight against the free radicals that can damage your cells, helping to lower your risk for skin cancer and help keep you looking younger in the process!
It Helps You Absorb Other Nutrients
When you pair avocado oil with come fruits and vegetables, it can make the food more nutritious! Topping foods that are high in certain nutrients such as carotenoids, such as tomatoes, increase the rate at which your body can absorb the good stuff. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, pairing foods high in carotenoids such as spinach, carrots, and tomatoes, can increase the absorption of the nutrient 15 fold! It’ll also help you to absorb other fat-soluble nutrients such as Vitamin D, Vitamin A, and Vitamin K.
It’s Versatile
Aside from its health benefits, avocado oil is also a versatile staple for your kitchen. It has a very neutral flavor so it won’t be overwhelming to your favorite foods. It also has a really high smoke point – about 500 degrees Fahrenheit. That means you can use it with about any cooking method. Just make sure you buy avocado oil that has a refining process that doesn’t use any weird chemicals, such as hexane.
It’s time to give avocado oil a try in your kitchen!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Acworth, Ga.