When it comes to healthy food, avocados are about as good as it gets.
Avocado nutrition facts aside, we hardly need more reasons to eat avocados.
(We’re talking about you,guac!)
Weve also heard they make a tasty topping fortoast.
We sat down with a nutrition expert to help us break down the many science-backed health benefits of avocados.
Find out why we should findmore ways to eat avocado.
Let’s take a look at how each of these nutrients supports your heart’s health.
The fat in avocados is over 75 percent unsaturated, which includes monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
One-third of a medium avocado contains 5 grams of monounsaturated fat and 1 gram of polyunsaturated fat.
Vitamin K, which promotes heart health.
That’s just one way to help you remember that this special fruit is good for your heart!
Digestive Support Benefits of Avocado
Avocados are packed with nutrients that support overall digestive health.
For one, avocados can help stave off hunger thanks to 6 grams of healthy fat per serving.
Here’s how else they can support your stomach and beyond.
Nutrient density means a food provides plenty of nutrition for fewer calories, Brissette explains.
This could lead to eating less while feeling more satisfied, which can help support your weight management efforts.
Per serving, avocados contain 136 micrograms of the powerful antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids that may help support eye health as you get older," explains Brissette.
“These carotenoids could help prevent macular degeneration, which is worsening eyesight due to aging.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, eating an unripe avocado is OK. Once you cut open an unripe avocado, it won’t continue to ripen.
Avocados are a healthy choice for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and beyond.
It’s in your prenatal vitamin supplement, and you could get even more with healthy avocados.
2019;140(11).
2018;10(9):1287. doi: 10.3390/nu10091287.
Dreher ML, Davenport AJ.
Hass avocado composition and potential health effects.
Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr.
2013;53(7):738-50. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2011.556759.
PMID: 23638933; PMCID: PMC3664913.
Dayib M, Larson J, Slavin J. Dietary fibers reduce obesity-related disorders: mechanisms of action.
Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care.
2020 Nov;23(6):445-450. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000696.
2015 Oct 6;2(1):e000300.
2018;2018:e4629383.
2015 Jan 6;21(1):39-50. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2014.12.006.
2019 Apr 26;11(5):952. doi: 10.3390/nu11050952.
McRae MP.Dietary Fiber Intake and key in 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses.J Chiropr Med.
2018 Mar;17(1):44-53. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2017.11.002.
Comerford KB, Ayoob KT, Murray RD, Atkinson SA.The role of avocados in complementary and transitional feeding.Nutrients.
2016;8(5):316. doi: 10.3390/nu8050316.
2014 May;14(2):e157-65.
Epub 2014 Apr 7.
2013 Apr 9;5(4):1169-85. doi: 10.3390/nu5041169.
Ford NA, Liu AG.The forgotten fruit: a case for consuming avocado within the traditional mediterranean diet.Front Nutr.
2020;7. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2020.00078.
2017 Aug 23;9(9):919. doi: 10.3390/nu9090919.
2016 May 21;8(5):313. doi: 10.3390/nu8050313.
2016 Aug;175:16-21. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.05.013.