13 Reasons Why An Avocado A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

May 28, 2018 by apost team

Ah, avocados. There's nothing quite like adding a bit of extra flavor to your salad at lunch or loading tortilla chips with guacamole at a weekend party. Very few things compare to the rich, creamy taste of a ripe avocado. 

And it just got even better. 

In addition to their deliciousness, avocados are packed full of vitamins, minerals, and other healthy nutrients that can do amazing things for your body. 

Here are 13 things that eating just one avocado a day can do for you: 

Avocados, like other fruits and veggies, are small bombshells when it comes to vitamins and minerals. A single serving (which is not even an entire avocado!) gives your body over 20 essential nutrients it needs to stay strong and healthy. Here's a snapshot of some of the daily value percentages you get: 

• 53% Vitamin K - helps your blood clot when you're injured 
• 33% Vitamin C - helps strengthen connective tissue (including bone and collagen) and boosts immune health 
• 21% Vitamin E - maintains skin, eye, and immune health and acts as an antioxidant 
• 26% Vitamin B6 - contributes to brain health and development 
• 19% Copper - supports many functions, including energy and blood cell production and the health of your heart, muscles, and nerves 
• 28% Potassium - helps balance your bodily fluids 
• 28% Pantheotic acid - metabolizes fats and carbohydrates for energy 
• 41% Folate - helps DNA divide and growth - extra important for growing babies! 
   

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Did you know about 75% of the fats found in avocados are unsaturated? Mono- and polyunsaturated fats are one of the best ways to help you lower your blood cholesterol, which lessens your chances of a stroke or heart attack. 

Not only do the healthy fats in avocados lower your blood triglycerides and LDL 'bad' cholesterol, but they actually can raise your HDL cholesterol levels. Though it might seem counterintuitive, having higher levels of HDL is actually a good thing, because these molecules will help your body remove LDL molecules, reducing your overall accumulation of cholesterol. 

Avocados do have some saturated fat, but that's not necessarily a bad thing! Saturated fat plays a key role in the production of testosterone and, thus, helps to increase libido if you and your significant other are in a romantic mood! 

With avocados naturally so rich in nutrients and heart-healthy unsaturated fats, eating them helps you feel fuller longer and helps to reduce cravings. If you keep at it long enough, lessening your body's calorie intake with avocados can help you shake off a few pounds and slim down. 

Potassium's role of balancing fluids in your body also extends to your blood and, by extension, your blood pressure. The high levels of potassium in avocados give your body enough electrolytes to keep your blood pressure under control. 

Avocados can be a great addition to salads and other dishes, and mixing them into your dinner recipe can give you a hidden bonus. The vitamins in avocados are actually absorbed better when paired with fat-soluble nutrients like vitamins A, E, D, and K. 

There are compounds called Avocado Unsaponifiables found in avocado oils that have been shown to block certain inflammatory chemicals in the body, which can help ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Soybean oil has similar compounds! 

Two of the nutrients found in avocados, zeaxanthin and lutein, have a positive effect on the symptoms of macular degeneration and thus can improve vision and overall eye health. 

Developing fetuses need all sorts of nutrients to grow strong and healthy, but potassium, vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin C are extremely important for their brain and tissue development - and avocados are rich in all of those! 

Avocados' filling nature and high levels of fiber can help you keep your insulin and blood glucose levels regulated, which lowers the risk of developing diabetes. 

Avocados, like other fruits and vegetables, are full of fiber - both soluble and insoluble. 

Both kinds of fiber lower your body's cholesterol and blood sugar spikes, which reduces the risk of various diseases. Fiber is also a compound that helps you feel fuller longer, so it can help you lose weight. 

The folate, copper, and vitamin K found in avocados all play a role in strengthening bone connective tissue and transporting calcium around the body, so daily consumption of avocados helps your bones stay healthy! 

What's your favorite thing about avocados? Do you like them, or think they're overrated? Show this to your favorite avocado loving (or hating) friends to see what they think, too!