Avocados are known for their fat. Their sweet, juicy fat. One cup of avocado provides 21 grams of the stuff, and the type of fat is essential. Avocados have a mixture of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats are related to similar compounds found in olive oil. Studies have shown that they may be linked to reduced risk of heart disease as well as inflammation. There has also been evidence of a reduced risk of certain cancers. Polyunsaturated fats are essential to our bodily functions but we aren’t capable of producing them by ourselves. These fats are necessary for covering our nerves, building cell membranes, muscle dexterity and blood clotting.
This wonderful fruit includes oleic acid, otherwise known as OEA. This is an omega–9 fatty acid that helps to improve cognitive performance. It’s a type of fatty acid known to enhance memory. Avocados are also chock-full of lutein and zeaxanthin which are known for maintaining and protecting ocular cells, keeping our eyes healthy. Furthermore, they can help improve macular pigment with age. Macular pigment helps protect our retinas from harmful blue light.
Avocado Nutrition Facts: Calories, Carbs, and Health Benefits
The composition of avocado is 73.23% water, 8.53% carbohydrates, 2% protein, 6.7% dietary fiber, and 14.66% fat. If you consume one avocado it will provide you with 17.145 grams of carbohydrates. That translates to 13.19 percent of the 130 grams of carbohydrates people should include in their daily diet. That same in an amount measuring 100 grams (3.5 Oz), avocado provides 670 kilojoules (160 kilocalories) of energy and is a very good source of Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), and Vitamin B9 (folate, DFE) (27.78%, 23.33%, and 20.25% of the Daily Value, respectively). This means that if you add avocados in your diet it will help your body to synthesize coenzyme A for the link reaction that occurs in the breakdown of glucose, maintain proper functioning of digestive tract, liver and nervous system, produce sex and stress-related hormones and will be effective against gastrointestinal problemshair lossheart issues. Besides it it contains a large amount of Copper attaining 21.11% of the Daily Value in a 100 g (3.5 Oz).
Avocados are listed in the Guinness Book of Records for being the most nutritious fruit in the world. The recording was made on 09/25/1998.
People with citrus and latex allergies may have allergic reactions to avocado. So be careful.
Avocado has been known since old times. Avocado seeds were found in mummy tombs dating back 750-s BC. This fruit was depicted on cave drawings made over 12,000 years ago.
Avocado’s appearance, flavour and even its chemical composition makes it similar to vegetables, yet it is a fruit with a single seed growing on trees up to 20 m high.
Avocado’s appearance, flavour and even its chemical composition makes it similar to vegetables, yet it is a fruit with a single seed growing on trees up to 20 m high.
Avocado has had different names given by different nations in different times: alligator pear, poor man’s butter, soldier’s butter and others.
Avocado is originally a Mexican fruit, though now it is grown in Brazil, Africa, Israel and the USA.
It seems all avocados look the same, but in fact there are about one hundred varieties of this fruit. They vary in size (from 100 g to 2 kg), shape (round, oval, pear-shaped), colour (from deep green to deep violet), taste and fat content.
Avocado is an excellent tasty food for diabetic people. This fruit contains less than 1.5% sugars, but many vitamins and microelements, good for one’s health and strengthening one’s immunity system.
Avocado belongs to the laurel family of plants, leaves of which are used as spices.
Avocado seed, leaves, rind and skin contain toxic substances, which can cause serious poisoning, so they are non-edible.
Avocado contains a lot of protein and can easily replace meat for vegetarians.
100 g of avocado contain over 200 kcal, so this fruit is highly nutritious and can be used for cooking main dishes.
Avocado develops a bitter taste when overcooked. It is recommended to eat it raw, and if it has to be cooked first, go easy.
50 g of avocado contain a daily dose of carotenoids contributing to anti-aging at the cellular level, improving skin integrity and ensuring good eyesight.
One third of the avocado fruit is made up of fats. These are healthy easily-digested unsaturated vegetable fats.
Avocado is loaded with B vitamins and other substances having direct or indirect effect on the nervous system resistance to external stimuli. People eating avocado on a regular basis tend to be calmer and more organized, are able to withstand hardships and remain optimistic even under the most difficult life circumstances.
Don’t choose an avocado by its colour. It varies from green to deep violet. Just squeeze the fruit. If it feels somewhat soft, then it’s ripe.
Indigenous people believe avocado is a strong aphrodisiac, so when they want to wish young couples to have many children, they give a lot of avocados as a gift.
