We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Health Benefits of Avocados?

Malcolm Tatum
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 14,620
Share

While many people don’t necessarily think of avocados as a healthy food, the fact is that there is a lot of nutrition packed into these small packages. Along with providing a several essential vitamins and minerals, avocados also help the body to absorb more nutrients from other foods as well. Here are just a few of the health benefits associated with avocados.

Avocados are excellent food for the nervous system. Because avocados contain Vitamins A, C and a nice round of the B vitamins, they can help to maintain proper function of neurotransmitters. The preeminence of calcium and magnesium in avocados also help the body to calm and aid in achieving recuperative sleep, something that is necessary for the nervous system to function at peak efficiency.

Related to the health benefits associated with the nervous system, avocados also promote heart health in several different ways. The presence of potassium, folic acid and monosaturated fatty acids help to lower bad cholesterol levels and thus minimize the chances of having a heart attack. Along with the monosaturates, avocados also contain a decent amount of Vitamin E and gluthathione, which helps in preventing various types of heart disease as well as slowly down the aging process.

While many people consider the fat content of avocados to be somewhat high, it is important to note that the seven different fatty acids present include Omega 3 and 6. Both these fatty acids provide much needed energy while also helping to lower bad cholesterol levels. When coupled with the various B vitamins and the iron content found in avocados, it is possible to absorb more of the carnitine from red meats, which also aids in the proper utilization of fats and helps to keep triglyceride levels in check.

The eyes can also benefit from enjoying avocados from time to time. This fruit has more lutein than most other types of fruits, making it an ideal choice for naturally protecting the eyes from such health issues as the development of cataracts and macular degeneration. When included as part of a balanced diet, the lutein content of avocados can help minimize the chances for developing several different vision problems as the individual grows older, making it possible to enjoy excellent eyesight for more years.

Avocados also have a reputation as a cancer fighter. Regular consumption of the fruit can help reduce the chances for developing prostate cancer in men as well as breast cancer in men and women. There is also some evidence that avocados can help reduce the potential for developing oral cancer as well. While not seen as a cure for cancer, avocados can be considered a smart food option that helps to lower the risks of dealing with cancer later in life.

With so many nutrients present, it simply makes sense to include avocados in the diet from time to time. Whether halved and scooped from the peel or made into a dip, avocados are an excellent food option.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGeek, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Animandel — On Feb 22, 2014

When it comes to food, I am big on texture. Certain foods I have difficulty eating because of the texture. I like the look and the smell of ripe avocados and of course the fact that they are good for me, but it took me a while to get used to the texture.

By Drentel — On Feb 22, 2014

I knew avocados were good for me even before I read the article. However, I did learn about some additional benefits of eating them from reading the article.

The problem I have with avocado is the bad taste. As much as I have tried to eat them regularly, I can't get past the taste. I have been able to eat dips made from avocado. I can't say I liked them but I ate as much as I could.

By Sporkasia — On Feb 21, 2014

I first saw an avocado tree when I was a child. My family went on a vacation to Mexico where I saw many of these trees. I became infatuated with the beautiful trees and the idea of growing them myself. At that time, we did not live in an area warm enough throughout the year to support avocado trees, so I put my plan on hold.

When I finally moved to a warm climate as an adult, I put my plan of growing avocados to work. I read all I could about the trees and bought the seeds. The plants grew quickly, but unfortunately, I moved before my trees produced any fruit. It can take several years.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-health-benefits-of-avocados.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.