Avocados And Its Health Benefits

Avocado has many health benefits. It is a very palatable fruit that tastes and looks like an egg yolk. It is a very nutritious food that contains all the nutrients in egg less its cholesterol. It is good for the brain and the nervous system. It is packed with vitamins, minerals and other phytonutrients or plant compounds that are very important for a healthy body functioning. It has monounsaturated fat that lowers bad cholesterol levels in the body. It was shown in research studies that monounsaturated fats reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol level in the blood, and increases or boost the HDL (good) cholesterol.

Avocado contains folate, one of the B complex vitamins that promotes healthy cell and tissue development. Folate also reduces the risks of birth defects.

Avocado also contains potassium, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B6, lutein, beta-sitosterol. Potassium helps balance the body electrolytes. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant known to slow down the aging process, and helps protect against heart diseases and some types of cancer. Lutein is a carotenoid that can protect against eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Beta-sitosterol is a phytonutrient that inhibits the absorption of cholesterol in the body, and it helps lower blood cholesterol levels.

Avocado also contains magnesium, riboflavin ( vitamin B2), glutathione, niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid(vitamin B5), biotin (also a Bvitamin), copper, vitamin K, iron and zinc.

Avocado is nutrient booster. A research in Ohio State University showed that when avocado is added to green salad, more disease-fighting nutrients like lutein, lycopene, alpha carotene, and beta carotene are absorbed. These members of the carotenoid family are associated with healthy heart, prostate, and good vision.