Avocado is a new food item. There is a significant confusion that revolves around avocado; is it a fruit or a vegetable? This green coloured, pear-shaped, little food item is classified as a fruit. It is indeed delicious and is loaded with n number of health benefits. This article is purely dedicated to this fruit. Here, we present you with ten amazing facts about Avocado. Keep reading.
Contents
Avocados are Rich in Fibre
Avocado is fibre rich. A medium-sized avocado has about 10 grams of fibre. It is loaded with soluble as well as insoluble fibre. Of total fibre, about 75% is insoluble (it accelerates the passage of food inside the body), and 25% is soluble fibre (it makes one feel full).
Old in Ages
Avocado has been on the eating list of people for more than 10,000 years. It is a native of America but was first spotted in Puebla in Mexico about 10,000 years ago. The gardens of America and Mexico always have avocado trees. One interesting fact about avocado is that it holds a spiritual significance for Aztec and Mayan societies. They believe that Avocado gives them strength.
Avocados are a superfood
Avocados are power-packed. They are rich in essential nutrients. Avocados are a right superfood. A single 100 gram serving of Avocado contains:
Vitamin E- 10% of the RDA
Vitamin B5- 14% of the RDA
Vitamin K – 26% of the RDA
Folate- 20% of the RDA
Vitamin C- 17% of the RDA.
Vitamin B6- 13% of the RDA
Potassium- 14% of the RDA
It controls the cholesterol
Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats that are very healthy for the heart. Monounsaturated fats help in boosting the levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and cutting down the levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol).
It protects eyes
Avocados contain potent antioxidants that help in protecting the eyes. They contain nutrients like Zeaxanthin and Lutein. These two nutrients are excellent for the eyes. If studies are to be believed, the risk of macular degeneration as well as cataracts drops down drastically if one takes a generous amount of these nutrients.
Reduces the Risks of Cancer
Among many benefits of avocados, one is that it cuts down the risk of many different kinds of diseases. According to recent studies, carotenoids which are rich in antioxidants have anti-cancerous actions. They help in preventing gastric, oral, prostate as well as breast cancer. When these carotenoids are paired with avocados that are rich in healthy fats, they prove magical to cut down cancer.
Treating Psoriasis
If you are tired of taking medications and lotions for psoriasis but haven’t found relief, you must try Avocado. Eating avocados help at large. For topical application, a cream that contains vit B12, as well as avocado oil, helps in treating psoriasis. The best thing about it is that this cream is sans any adverse effect. Thus, Avocado is a very-pocket way to treat psoriasis.
Beneficial in Osteoarthritis
Avocados help in soothing the pain as well as damage caused by arthritis. It is an effective treatment against osteoarthritis as it helps to resolve the symptoms. If you take avocados religiously, you may not need anti-inflammatory drugs.
Containing anti-ageing Properties
We often spend big bucks on anti-ageing creams, therapies and treatments; instead, we should include avocados in our diet. Avocados have magical anti-ageing properties. As they are rich in vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and other healthy nutrients, they arrest the ageing process and keeps skin youthful. Avocados also help in combating many dermatological benefits. They help to cut down the skin damage. They induce DNA repair. They also help to reverse the damage caused to skin by the harmful UV rays. Thus, you need not spend a lot on expensive creams, lotions or treatments. Eat a lot of avocados and get smooth, shiny, flawless and youthful skin.
Rich in Potassium
We have always heard that bananas are the best and most abundant source of potassium, but avocados contain more potassium than bananas. 100 gram serving of banana contains 10% of the RDA, whereas avocados contain 14% of the RDA. Potassium helps in monitoring blood pressure. Thus, they are very important for health.