Photo credits- https://www.bhg.com.au/5-avocado-alternatives
Avocado toast has been trending for what feels like an age- the age of avocado. For those of you who are yet to jump on this bandwagon, what exactly are the benefits of avocado?
Firstly, a little bit of fun trivia for you, did you know avocados considered a berry? This is because they are members of the Lauraceae plant family, as are cinnamon trees. So, despite the universal misconception that avocados are a type of vegetable (aren’t they always in the vegetable aisle in the supermarket?), this vegetable is actually a fruit.
The reason that avocados are extremely popular in the health and wellness world is because they are remarkably nutritionally dense. This small “berry” is packed with vitamins such as vitamin C, E, K and B6 as well as riboflavin, niacin, folate, panthothenic acid, magnesium and potassium. The number of important nutrients contained in avocado are lacking in many modern diets. This is such an easy way to ensure you are getting all of the vitamins and minerals necessary to live a full and healthy life.
Avocados have so many different vitamins and health benefits it’s like taking a naturally occurring supplement! Let’s break down some of the health benefits that avocados offer so that its more than a list of vitamins.
The Healthline says avocados can offer 35% of the daily value of vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential for bone health because it helps increase the absorption of calcium and reduce the excretion of calcium. As a result of this there are claims suggesting the inclusion of avocados in your diet may help prevent osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis a condition in which bones become more fragile and weaker with age, leading to their break down. These claims are perhaps lacking enough scientific evidence to be taken as indisputable but what is clear is that avocados are beneficial promoting good bone health.
Avocado has compounds such as vitamin C and vitamin E, which means it is not only an antioxidant but also an anti-inflammatory.
Avocado is also high in fibre which maintains digestive tract health, improving or regulating digestion. In other word it keeps things moving…
Moving on, perhaps the most prevalent health benefit of avocado are the healthy fats it contains. This is not only great for your skin, moisturing from the inside out, and also for your energy levels.
This is a result of the stabilising effect avocados have on blood sugar levels. The healthy fats slow down the breakdown of carbohydrates, which means that there is no spike in energy levels (like with most high sugar products or produce) ultimately leading to a crash. Instead, energy levels are maintained.
In all, avocados are more that part of the “that girl” trend. They are a valued fruit and an asset to any fridge or fruit bowl. This trend has had roaring success over the last few years and hopefully will won’t be short lived (like your energy levels if you regularly include this berry in your diet), continuing to be a readily available option and as it promotes a well-rounded diet.
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