Are Avocados Healthy?

Avocados are pear-shaped fruit rich in flavor and are creamy and delicious. Avocados are full of nutrients and abundant in oleic acid (omega-9 fatty acid) and fiber. But what are the health benefits of this pear-shaped wonder? Let´s take a closer look.

What is an avocado?

Avocado is known for its reputation as a healthy plant-based fat, and from a botanical standpoint, is a fruit. It is rich in protein with 18 essential amino acids necessary for building protein in your body.

Avocados come in many shapes and sizes and contain nutrients such as:

• vitamins A, B complex, C, E
• magnesium
• iron
• amino acid
• folic acid
• copper

Interesting avocado facts

Avocados are native to Mexico, Central, and South America.

Botanically speaking, avocado is a large berry.

The scientific name for avocado is Persea Americana.

Avocados were once known as alligator pear trees in 1696 by Sir Hans Sloane.

Avocados contain more potassium than bananas.

You can use the peels and pits of the avocado to make a natural dye (when boiled makes a pink hue).

You can recognize if an avocado is ripe by observing the skin (the darker the skin, the ripper the fruit).

Avocados can replace butter as a healthier fat alternative.

Haas is one of the most popular types of avocado.

The benefits of avocados

This natural fat-rich fruit offers a wealth of health benefits which include:

• provide cardiovascular benefits
• may improve lipid profiles
• helps maintain weight
• help increase intake of essential nutrients
• may improve eye health
• may contribute to brain health
• promotes bowel regularity
• high levels of MUFA fat (monosaturated fats)
• enriches the quality of your diet
• reduces hunger
• increases feelings of being satisfied
• may relieve arthritis pain

Some avocado meal and snack ideas

Avocado and kale sandwich

• 1 avocado (diced)
• 1 cup kale
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• cooked salmon
• tomatoes
• Mixed all the ingredients, top on rye/wheat bread, and enjoy.

Avocado stuffed rice

• Cooked brown rice with vegetables (green peas, corn, carrots, and peppers)
• 1 medium sliced avocado with parsley and cilantro.
• 1 can tuna (in water)
• 1 chopped celery stalk
• 1 tablespoon mayo
• chives, parsley, and cilantro to garnish
• Cut 3-4 medium avocados in half.
• Scoop out flesh.
• Mix all ingredients into a paste.
• Fill empty avocado skin with filling. Enjoy.

Is avocado good for your skin?

Avocado offers a long list of benefits for your health, but its magic does not end there; avocado offers many benefits for the skin, such as:

• soothes skin
• accelerates skin repair
• improves elasticity
• helps reduce signs of aging
• great for all skin types
• protects and prevents skin from damage
• positively affects skin´s health

Homemade avocado face masks

Avocado honey mask (fights acne, anti-aging)

• Blend avocado to make a paste and add 1 teaspoon of honey.
• Mix well and apply to the face. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse out.

Avocado oatmeal mask (hydrates and exfoliates)

• Puree avocado and add 1 tablespoon of oatmeal (fine).
• Mix and apply to the face. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse off.

Avocado and lemon juice mask (glowing skin)

• Crush avocado and add juice from a lemon.
• Mix and apply to the face. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse off.

Before trying any homemade mask, test a small portion of your skin (your wrist or neck area) to see if you have an allergic reaction. Avocado allergy is rare, but there is a small percentage of people; who may be allergic. If you are allergic to latex, then the risk of you being allergic to avocado is more than likely.

How can you use avocado to grow hair?

Healthy meals help keep your hair strong. But did you know that avocado is a stimulant for hair growth? Avocados contain antioxidants that combat bacteria that can prevent hair growth. Also, avocados can strengthen hair follicles and minimize hair damage and breakage, which leads to hair loss.

Other benefits include:

• boosts shine
• nourishes and strengthens hair
• encourages hair growth
• inhibits hair loss
• protects hair and scalp from damaging UV rays
• allows hair to grow faster and healthier
• makes hair silky
• makes hair denser
• revitalizes hair

Avocado and yogurt hair mask (repair and condition)

• 1 avocado
• 2 tablespoon yogurt (plain)
• Mix both ingredients and apply to hair. Leave in for 20-30 minutes.

Avocado and banana mask (reduces hair fall)

• 1 avocado
• 2 ripe bananas
• 3 tablespoons coconut milk
• Mix ingredients and apply to hair. Leave in for 20 minutes. Rinse off.

Avocado and coconut cream (treats dandruff)

• 1 avocado
• 2 tablespoon coconut cream
• 1 tablespoon castor oil
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• Mix well and apply to hair. Leave in for 30 minutes. Rinse off.

Conclusion

Avocados are full of healthy unsaturated fat. Their pleasant taste is world-renowned. Guacamole is very versatile and beloved, but there are many other ways to add avocados to your diet. Some people substitute avocado for butter because of its naturally high-fat content. Eating avocado regularly is good for your health. Avocados can enrich the quality of your diet.

Avocado also extends its health benefits to your skin and hair. It keeps both skin and hair hydrated and healthy.

Although rare, some people have an allergic reaction to this, especially those, with an allergic reaction to latex. Also, eating too many avocados can cause headaches and IBS flare-ups.

Your food source should not come from individual foods. A healthy diet full of different fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is a wise choice.

A healthy lifestyle involves a combination of all healthy foods and does not depend on one food source alone, no matter how incredible the health benefits are.

Healthy foods are stronger and work better together and not apart. Adding a healthy variety of nutrient-dense foods into your diet is one of the best gifts you can give your immune system.

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