If you’ve ever been to the fresh produce section of the grocery store, you’ve probably noticed that among the brightly colored squash, tomatoes, bell peppers and chilies, there’s a little dark green pear-shaped berry (yes, berry!) with crocodile-like skin. And if you’ve ever eaten guacamole at your favorite restaurant or had toast smothered in avocado, you know the inside of this little creation is deliciously magical. But did you know that it’s also magically good for you?! Probably so considering all the hullaballoo it’s caused in the health community.
However loudly this superfood has been touted as amazing, it manages to live up to the expectations in both the taste and the benefits. Whether you dip into it with your favorite tortilla chips, smear it on your toast in the morning or simply peel and bite, it doesn’t disappoint. There’s plenty of scientific evidence as well, giving us the permission we crave to indulge into this luxurious food.
Just one half of an avocado provides us with one fifth of our daily fruits and vegetables. Along with that, avocados are also the highest provider of multiple vitamins and minerals that help create a healthier, happier you.
- Oleic Acid
- Lutein
- Folate
- Vitamin E
- Monounsaturated Fats
- Glutathione
- Potassium
- Magnesium
Not only do these ingredients contribute to the satisfying taste of this treat, they also protect your brain, your eyesight, and your heart. Avocados can help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease, Heart Disease, eye problems, cancer and other degenerative diseases as wel.
In the past, we were told to stay away from foods with high fat contents. Since then, however, we’ve learned that the right kind of fats, monounsaturated fats, are actually very good for us! Our little green friend just got that much better. With its high monounsaturated fat content, the Hass avocado boasts 18-30% fat content. It’s because of the high fat content, specifically oleic acid, that avocado has been shown to reduce LDL, or bad cholesterol, while increasing HDL, or good cholesterol.
Avocado’s unique content of high fat combined with the high fiber content makes it a popular choice for those looking to shed a few pounds. Not only does the creamy, green superfood taste great, gives us essential vitamins and minerals, it also helps us feel full longer and lose weight. And with so many delicious incarnations, there’s always a new way to mix it up and keep it interesting.
Now for all those great attributes, avocado still isn’t finished its long list of accolades. Now maybe it’s legend, or maybe it’s fact, but the Aztecs claimed the avocado to be a powerful aphrodisiac. So much so that during the annual harvest season, virgin daughters were locked up. Preachers even forbade parishioners from eating it. Talk about forbidden fruit! *Ahem* “berry.”
Sounds too good to be true, right? Think again! The avocado is just one example of how our diet can help our bodies and our longevity and quality of life. To protect our body and mind, improve health, mood, boost libido and also help us look and feel our best incorporate this tasty little treat into your diet. If you want to seriously take your health into your hands and make real improvements, come visit us to see and feel the difference!
