Avocado and its properties

The avocado, also known as the alligator pear, is native to Mexico.  It is commercially valuable and it is cultivated in many different tropical countries around the world.  The trees are usually propagated through grafting so as to maintain the good quality and the desired quantity of the fruit.

Avocados are very rich in various vitamins, fats, and minerals.  Avocados have plenty of potassium, they contain up to 60% more than the potassium found in bananas.  They also contain plenty of vitamin K and vitamin E as well as having plenty of the B vitamins.  Avocados are a great source of fiber.  They contain a very high fiber level especially compared to other fruits.  75% of the fiber in avocado is insoluble fiber while the remaining 25% are made up of soluble fiber. 

High intake and regular consumption of avocado has been demonstrated to benefit the cholesterol levels in blood serum.  In the study, where participants were given a week long diet filled with avocado rich foods, the patients with mild hypercholesterolemia displayed decreases in cholesterol levels in blood serum reaching up to 17%.  They also showed decreases in LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels which reached 22% and an increase in HDL (good cholesterol) levels which reached 11%.

The high potassium content of avocados make it an invaluable food for making the body more resistant to circulatory system diseases such as stroke, high blood pressure, and heart attack.  A cup of avocado has approximately 23% of the recommended daily folate intake. Folate is another nutrient that is very important in maintaining a healthy heart.  Folate rich foods, such as avocado, also promote lower risks of cardiovascular diseases.

Avocados also provide oleic acid, a fatty acid that has been shown to increase the body’s protection against certain cancers, including breast cancer.  They are also a very good source of “carotenoid lutein”.  Lutein helps the body fight against cataracts and macular degeneration.  It helps the eyes become healthier and more resistant to age related ocular ailments.

Additionally, aside from providing its own carotenoids, avocado also helps the body absorb other carotenoids from other fruits and vegetables that it consumes.  A few servings of avocado blended into salad, or a few slices mixed into salsa for example, will not only make the recipe so much more creamier and delicious, it will also make the dish a lot healthier.

Although avocados are a great addition to a diet because of the health benefits, taking too much could result in additional weight gain.  It is true that most of the fats in avocados are the good kind, thus they are very helpful for the circulatory and cardiovascular systems of the body, but they are still fat and calories which lead to packing on some additional pounds.

Because avocados turn sour when they are cooked and they do not respond well to freezing and cold temperatures, it is highly recommended to eat avocados fresh and raw.  If it is necessary to store the avocados, do so only for a short period of time and in room temperature.