Avocado 101 – 8 Health Benefits of Avocado

What Is an Avocado? 

Avocados are fruits, believe it or not. They have dark, leathery skin that you don’t eat on the exterior while inside, it has bright green flesh and a large pit. If you love guacamole, then guess what? It’s made from avocados. I love them so much that I do truly put them on everything I can. lol😆😂🤣 The best thing is that avocado has several health benefits!

I love avocados, and everyone is always teasing me that I find a way to put it on everything. They’re delicious, incredibly nutritious, and have many health benefits! If you need an excuse to eat more avocado, here’s what to know about this delicious fruit! Also, you can add them to recipes! From avocado smoothies to adding it to bowls or making guacamole or avocado sweet potato bites! Name them; I love them all!

Where Did They Originate From?

Avocados originally came from Mexico, which doesn’t surprise me since we have them to thank for guacamole. Avocados are estimated to be about 10,000 years old and researchers believe Puebla was the original Mexican location from which they hailed. 

Types of Avocados

Did you know there are lots of different types of avocados? Well, now you do! Everyone knows about Hass avocados, which are the most common. However, there are Fuerte, Bacon, Reed, Zutano, Pinkerton, Lamb Hass, Stewart, Winter Mexican, Sir Prize, and Wurtz, to name a few more. 

No matter what kind of avocados you eat, you’re not only in for a delicious experience…you’re in for a healthy one too! And now if you are ready, let’s talk about some health benefits of eating avocados!

8 Health Benefits of Avocado  

1. Nutrient Rich 

The #1 benefit of avocado is that they are high in nutrients! Avocados contain a bounty of vitamins that include B6, C, E, and K plus other good things like folate, magnesium, potassium, niacin, and omega-3 fatty acids. Avocados are the good fat you need!

2. Benefits of Avocado – Heart Healthy

Another great thing about avocados is that they’re good for your heart. They have beta sitosterol, a natural plant sterol that can help you keep your cholesterol levels healthy.

3. Great for Vision

You can keep your eyes on the prize when you eat more avocados. They contain lutein and other phytochemicals that protect your eyes from UV damaging light. With other nutrients, they may also reduce your risk for age-related eye deterioration.

4. Avocados Improve Digestion

And lastly, avocados have tons of fiber which can help keep your digestive system thriving. You’ll avoid constipation and lower your risk of colon cancer too. I highly suggest this easy avocado smoothie for that purpose!

5. Keeps Bones Strong

If you’re not a big milk drinker, avocado can help you keep your bones strong thanks to its rich vitamin K content. It keeps your bones healthy by increasing calcium absorption.

6. May Help Prevent Cancer

More research needs to be done, but avocados contain compounds that may prevent certain types of cancer. Folate has been associated with a reduced risk for colon, pancreatic, stomach, and cervical cancers, and avocados have folate. 

7. Benefits of Avocado for Pregnant Ladies

If you’re pregnant, you probably know how important folate is during this time. Getting plenty of folate reduces risks for miscarriage and neural tube abnormalities. Avocados can deliciously help you get enough folate for you and baby!

8. Reduces Depression Risk

Some may argue that guacamole (below), made with avocados, has the potential to cheer anyone up. While I can’t argue with that logic, I do want to say that the folate in avocados may be the key in helping depression. Studies have found there are links with low folate levels and this mental condition, so maybe it can’t hurt to have more avocado. 

How to Cut an Avocado 

Avocados are easy to cut. Wash the exterior first even though you’re not eating it so the dirt from the outside doesn’t make it to the flesh. Lay your avocado on a cutting board and slice it in half lengthwise, stopping as soon as you hit the pit. You can then continue to slice it around the curve of the pit all the way around. There are also kitchen gadgets that can help make it even easier.

Split it in half, then pop out the pit. From there, you can scoop out the avocado and enjoy!

How to Eat an Avocado (Benefits of Avocado in Diets)

One of my favorite ways to enjoy avocados is by sprinkling them with just a pinch of salt and pepper. Yum! So delicious! But you can smash an avocado and add onto toast (like this sweet potato avocado bites)! use them as a finishing touch for your quinoa bowls, make a poke bowl with it, roll up sushi, make a salsa, salad, or even a smoothie.

Avocado Recipes to Try

• Spring Mix Salad
• Cajun Air Fryer Salmon with Avocado Salsa
• Mango Strawberry Avocado Salad
• Sweet Potato Avocado Bites
• Baked Ripe Plantains with Guacamole
• Creamy Avocado Smoothie

Benefits of Avocado FAQs

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