20 Reasons To Eat An Avocado Every Day Slideshow
It's time to stop living by "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" — and swap that fruit for a much more versatile one. We're advocating for avocados: the healthy fat phenomenon that's swept the food scene with its softening, malleable shell and its creamy, soft interior (and a pit that's actually healthier than the rest of the fruit).
Whether you're spreading it on sourdough, whipping up a mean dip for chips, or just munching on one raw, eating an avocado is a great idea. They're loaded with nutrition and health benefits that make us all too grateful they're so delicious.
Many people enjoy slicing them in half and eating a portion with a meal. To make them tastier, you can always sprinkle them with salt, pepper, and other spices. Trader Joe's makes an Everything Bagel Seasoning (along with so many other innovative products) that just so happens to pair phenomenally with the fruit.
No matter how you do it, try to get those avocados in somehow. The list of health benefits you reap as a result just keeps getting longer.
It Could Help Stabilize Your Weight
Diets that include the sort of fats and other nutrients in avocados have been proven much healthier than others — and maintaining a full, healthy diet is what results in eventual weight stabilization. Your body has a healthy, most comfortable weight. And eating healthy fats alongside other nutrients helps your body to get there.
It Regulates Your Metabolism
Metabolic syndrome is the newest "silent killer" doctors are warning about — and it involves a crazed, fluctuating metabolism. Eating an avocado every day could help to stabilize your metabolism, some studies say. The healthy fats involved help to prevent your metabolism from taking an unwelcome nosedive after a meal.
The Recipe Possibilities are Delicious
There is no limit to the number of ways you can cook with avocado. The opportunities far surpass guacamole (though there are dozens of guacamole recipes out there to keep you occupied). You can make desserts with avocado, avocado-laden brunch, or even crunchy kale and avocado salads. If you're not about all that effort and would rather keep it simple, just make some avocado toast or eat one of the fruits raw as a snack.
They Boost Your Immune System
Vitamins A, C, and E are all present in the flesh of tasty avocados — and in this case they're as immune-boosting as they are delicious. Eating avocados could help ward off illnesses and pesky runny noses, simply by helping your immune system fight off bacterial attack.
They Can Preserve Your Eyesight
Avocados are loaded with good stuff with complicated names, including the prestigious-sounding nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin. Both of these compounds play a role in preventing macular degeneration, or wearing away of the retina. To keep your eyesight in top shape, go ahead and gorge on these fatty fruits — or one of these other eye-shielding foods.
They Can Stave Off Hunger
The best way to prevent fatigue, the mid-day slump, and snack-craving hunger? Eat a balanced meal that provides lasting, slow-digesting energy. That's where avocados can really do the trick. The healthy fats in avocados taste so satisfying because they are — an appealing reason to consider packing one with lunch.
They Could Lower Cancer Risk
The antioxidants in our favorite piece of produce are good news for fighting off cancer. But don't take it from us — one study effectively showed that avocados contain compounds that can slow the onset of prostate cancer by inhibiting the growth of cancerous cells.
They Fight Inflammation
Avocados contain a monounsaturated fat called oleic acid — this miracle compound has been linked in studies to a decrease in inflammation. Inflammation is more than just annoying swelling. It's the culprit behind many chronic diseases, including Alzheimer's, arthritis, and even cancer.
They Have So Many Vitamins and Minerals
Like, so many. Just one avocado contains significant amounts of eight vital nutrients, stretching from the key vitamins like K and C to rare minerals such as folate. Each one of these nutrients plays a pivotal role in your health — so eating an avocado is kind of like eating part of a multivitamin.
They Help Prevent Diabetes
Diabetes prevention happens when you regulate your blood sugar using healthy foods. Avocados are insanely effective at doing this. One study analyzed the difference in the blood glucose levels of the studied population before and after lunch. One group was given half an avocado with their meal and another was given the same meal without avocado. The group that ate the creamy, green fruit experienced dramatically less blood sugar fluctuation after eating. After hearing that, we're tempted to pack halves with our lunches every day.
They Lower Cholesterol
Fatty acids in avocados lower bad cholesterol and bump up the good cholesterol in your system. The good cholesterol continues to lower the bad kind — so basically, healthy fats are the best way to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
They Lower Your Risk for Heart Disease
Potassium, one of the reasons avocados are so nutritious, is necessary to keep your blood pressure low and steady. High blood pressure can be dangerous for your heart, making it work harder to pump blood and beating regularly. For this reason, high blood pressure can seriously increase your risk of heart disease or another cardiac problem. Potassium helps prevent that — thank you, guacamole!
They Make Healthy Desserts Super Creamy
Have you ever tried adding an avocado to your smoothie? If you haven't, you're seriously missing out on one of the many ways to make your smoothie taste like dessert. Other avocado-based confections are out there, too — avocado mousse, cakes, and frostings. The creamy avocado adds a silky, rich texture to the dish.
They Make the Other Foods You Eat Even Healthier
If you eat a nutritious food but don't absorb any of the nutrients, is it still nutritious? In short, no. If you can't absorb the good stuff from the food, it's all going to s— (literally) when it passes right through your system.
Many nutrients are "fat-soluble", meaning they need to be eaten alongside some fat in order to get absorbed during digestion. Avocados provide that fat, alongside the fat-soluble vitamins themselves. So eating an avocado not only gives you tons of nutrients, but it makes whatever else you're eating healthier, too. Doesn't get much better than that.
They Make You Happier
You know that saying "You're just one workout away from a good mood"? Yeah, we're nixing that and replacing "workout" with "avocado." You're welcome.
Both folate and potassium deficiencies have been linked to depression in various studies. You could either go grab a banana or just add in that daily avocado. It truly can work wonders!
They’re Good for Your Digestion
In addition to healthy fats and loads of micronutrients, avocados also have a whole lot of fiber. Your digestion relies on fiber to keep things moving. A whole avocado has over half of your recommended daily value of fiber. So by feeding it the dense fruit, you're really helping your body out to keep things regular.
You Need Healthy Fats
Seriously, guys. You need healthy fats. As if you haven't been convinced already, here are some things that could happen if you don't get enough of the nutrient:
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Worsening cholesterol
- Extreme fatigue
- Dry skin
- Menstrual irregularities (in women)
Need I go on? Get your healthy fats however you please, but avocados sound like a great way to guarantee you're getting enough.
You’ll Get Better Hair
Apparently, 1 in 4 men thinks the secret to better hair is smearing some avocado on toast. While it's likely not the elixir balding men are looking for, avocados are really good for your hair. The vitamin C and folic acid support hair health to keep it shining and growing as you age.
You’ll Have Clearer Skin
Vitamin E is infused into many skincare products to counteract wrinkles and keep skin looking fresh. Avocados actually contain loads of the vitamin — so buy one of those fresh instead of spending crazy amounts of your paycheck on skincare. With the new Whole Foods prices, avocados are surprisingly affordable nowadays.
Your Brain Needs the Fats
Your brain uses a staggering 50 percent of the fats in our bodies — it's incredible how much brain fuel it takes just to think! Avocados are fantastic brain fuel, which is why you should probably consider eating one before your next big exam. Or, you know, any time you want your brain to be working well. If you're somehow getting tired of avocados, though, you could always resort to one of these sources of healthy fats instead.