Stop Skipping the Avocados, They Are Packed with Health Benefits
Avocados are a guilty pleasure with their creaminess and high levels of fat. Thankfully, they are also loaded with a lot of health benefits. Don’t skip the avocado on your sandwich or salad because you are afraid of a little fat. Added avocado will boost your flavor and health benefits greatly.
Avocados Pump Up Your Brain
Brains are mostly fat, which means healthy fats benefit the brain significantly. Avocados are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, which are beneficial for the brain. They can also help improve how your brain plans and makes decisions.
Lowered Cholesterol
For those who have to lower their cholesterol, they are usually told to do so with a low fat diet. However, it has been found that the good monounsaturated fat in avocados helps lower your risk of stroke and heart disease. Avocados can also raise the levels of good cholesterol in your body (while lowering the bad).
Better Vitamin Absorption
Did you know that a lot of essential vitamins require some fat to be absorbed into the body. This means that if you eat a heavy vegetable meal without any fat, your body is not getting all of the nutrients it needs from those vegetables. Instead, add a little avocado to your salads or vegetable plates.
Relieve Arthritis Symptoms
Avocados also contain anti-inflammatory properties, which can help relieve the symptoms of arthritis. Arthritis symptoms are made worse with poor diet choices, such as inflammation causers, which are sugar and processed foods.
Fiber-Filled
Most people just seem to remember that avocados are full of fat. While that is true, avocados are also high in fiber. One avocado contains 27 percent of your fiber intake for the day. This is great for those looking to lose weight, since fiber helps weight loss. Also, the high amounts of fiber reduce blood sugar spikes.
High in Potassium
If you are like most people, then the most you know about potassium is that it is in a banana. You also need to know that potassium is an important mineral for your diet, and many people are deficient in it without even knowing it. Potassium deficiency usually shows up in mild signs, such as tiredness and weakness. Avocados contain 14 percent of your recommended daily amount, which is slightly more than what a banana contains.
Next time you think about passing up the deliciousness of an avocado due to its high fat content, think again. Avocados are a wonderful health staple food with many benefits.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of WILLIAM ISMAEL