Avocados were first cultivated in South America and migrated to the United States in the 1800s. According to FoodReference.com, California is the largest producer of avocados in the United States. The avocado is a fruit that is rich in many vitamins, minerals and healthy fats. Including this fruit in a well-balanced diet may benefit your health.
Monounsaturated Fats
Avocados are a good source of healthy fats, the monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats are healthy additions to the diet because they help to nourish your body, sustain your energy, aid in healing processes and promote a healthy cellular environment. According to the University of Michigan, some studies indicate that a diet rich in monounsaturated fats may help reduce your risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure and risk of inflammation.
Increase Satiety
The University of Michigan reports that the healthy fats in avocado may provide you with greater satiety for longer periods of time, and therefore prevent overeating. As a result, the addition of avocado to your diet may help you maintain a healthy weight and prevent weight gain. Adding avocado to a salad or a sandwich may help boost the satiety factor of that meal.
Phytochemicals
The avocado is a fruit and according to the University of Michigan, fruits are abundant in phytochemicals. Including phytochemical-rich food in your diet may lower your risk for heart disease and certain types of cancer. Adding avocado to your daily diet is a good way to increase your intake of phytochemicals from fruits. Avocado can be blended with seasonings and lemon juice to create a dip to eat with whole-grain crackers or carrots.
Carnitine
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that avocado is a good dietary source of carnitine, a nutrient that helps the body turn fat into energy. Carnitine may be used in combination with other medications in the treatment of angina. In addition, carnitine may help reduce symptoms of heart failure and improve capacity for exercise in people with heart failure.
Improve Physical Function in Elderly
A 2008 report in Medical News Today states that an adequate dietary intake of vitamin E may help decrease physical function decline in older people. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps prevent the growth of free radicals in your body. If able to proliferate in your body, these free radicals may normally contribute to physical decline. Medical News Today reports that the avocado is a good source of vitamin E with 2.8 mg in one whole avocado. In contrast, 1 cup of grapes contains 1.1 mg of vitamin E, while 3.5 oz. of catfish contain 1.3 mg of vitamin E.
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