7 Amazing Benefits Avocado Will Bring to your Nourishment of the Self Journey

Hello Dear Reader; hope life finds you well; that you are in good terms with existence and that you are taking care of your Mental health as it’s supposed to be. Since my last Post “Addiction in the Psychology section” was a bit heavy, I thought about brining one less heavy subject to talk about. One less heavy subject yet one important one that will bring many benefits to your daily life. And that is to invite you to know more about 7 Amazing Benefits Avocado Will Bring to your Nourishment of the Self Journey overall to your daily life.

By the way it is not only because I am on keto lifestyle (Although I got to admit; avocados took a whole different meaning once I started keto); but also during the course of my own nourishment of the self-journey, In the process of losing weight not only psychically but mentally. I always try to highlight the fact that a crucial aspect of it all it is to pick your fruits and veggies wisely; in order to help your body to reach to become your best nourished self and to that ideal mental health state where we get to feel good; excited about life and focused.

I got to say I didn’t go wrong when it came to picking up avocados as my GO TO whole food from  basically day 1.

They filled me; it produced healthy digestive processes and overall was a very fresh and yummy fruit to consider in almost every meal.

One good  analysis that I read in the previous weeks was made  in 2018 out of 10 studies; resulting in an increase in HDL (protective cholesterol) in people who consumed an average of 1 to 3.7 avocados daily. (scitechdaily)

I am one firm believer that; there is no such thing as bad cholesterol o good one; reading about this analysis made me go deeper into science proven benefits avocados brings to us.

But first let’s talk about what is an avocado per se.

An avocado is a bright green fruit with a large pit and dark leathery skin. They’re also known as alligator pears or butter fruit.

They’re the main ingredients in everything from salads and wraps to smoothies and even brownies or avocado cookie chocolate madness recipes such as mine (jajaja, lame joke).

An amazing pear-shaped berry turned into a superfood.

Nutritional Facts from Avocados

In terms of nutrition, avocados are soft and buttery and their insides are rich in vitamins C, E, K and B6, plus riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, potassium, lutein, beta carotene and omega-3 fatty acids.

Half of a medium-sized fruit provides up to 20 percent of the recommended daily fiber, 10 percent potassium, 5 percent magnesium, 15 percent folate and 7.5 grams of monounsaturated fatty acids.

All in one food. Perfect uh?.

7 Amazing Benefits Avocado Will Bring to your Nourishment of the Self Journey

1. Healthy for the heart

In every 100 g of avocado there are 76 milligrams of a natural plant sterol called beta sitosterol. Regularly consuming beta sitosterol and other plant sterols may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, which are important for heart health.

2. Avocado Components may prevent cancer

Research has associated an optimal intake of folate with a reduced risk of developing colon, stomach, pancreatic, and cervical cancers. However, the mechanism behind this association remains unclear. Half of an avocado contains roughly 59 mcg of folate, 15% of the daily value.

Avocados also contain high levels of phytochemicals and carotenoids, which may have anticancer properties. Studies have shown that carotenoids, specifically, may protect against cancer progression.

3. Reducing depression risk

Avocados are a good source of folate, which plays an important role in overall dietary health. Studies have also found links between low folate levels and depression.

Folate helps prevent the buildup of homocysteine, a substance that can impair circulation and delivery of nutrients to the brain. Reviews of past research Trusted Source have linked excess homocysteine with cognitive dysfunction, depression, and the production of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which regulate mood, sleep, and appetite.

4. Improving digestion

Avocados are high in fiber, containing approximately 6–7 g per half fruit.

Eating foods with natural fiber can help prevent constipation, maintain digestive tract health, and lower the risk of colon cancer.

Also, I always like to fact the fact that fiber works as a natural appetite controller. It helps us feel full; it is what makes us feel satiated.

Avocado is a big time help with this. (Just an aspect to take into consideration)

5. Helps Inflammation.

Chronic inflammation can kick off many diseases, including diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and arthritis. The vitamin E in avocados lowers inflammation in your body.

Avocados aren’t merely a tasty addition to a diet — they contain a fat molecule that may safely reduce insulin resistance. A study by researchers from the University of Guelph, in Canada, suggests that this compound, which avocados alone contain, may forestall, or prevent the hallmark of type 2 diabetes in mice

It is a low glycemic, low carb fruit. Perfect for those who present insulin resistance.

6. Antimicrobial action

Avocados and avocado oil contain substances that have antimicrobial properties. Research shows that avocado seed extracts can help defend the body against both Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus infections, for example.

7. The monounsaturated fatty acids in avocados may be beneficial in preventing chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease.

Meanwhile, research suggests that an optimal intake of fiber may reduce the risk of stroke, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and certain gastrointestinal diseases, and avocados are rich in fiber.

The right fiber intake can also lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and enhance weight loss for people with obesity.

How to work with Avocado In the Kitchen?

Store avocados at room temperature, keeping in mind that they can take 4-5 days to ripen. To speed up the ripening process, put them in a paper bag (newspaper paper). When the outside skins are black or dark purple and yield to gentle pressure, they’re ready to eat or refrigerate.

Wash them before cutting so dirt and bacteria aren’t transferred from the knife onto the pulp.

While guacamole is arguably the most popular way to eat avocado, you can also puree and toss with pasta, substitute for butter or oil in your favorite baked good recipes or spread or slice onto sandwiches.

A Few Last Words…

I hope this easy going; yet important information dear reader is useful for you to start taking into consideration avocados more.

If you are one person who are not sure about the benefits, it might bring; this is a good way to start knowing more about it.

Back in Venezuela, during my childhood years I could clearly remember my fathers obsession about avocados, before all this avocado trend started to happen obviously. jajajaja

No wonder. Not only I have the best memories around avocados and my father happiness around them; but also he was absolutely right to be.

Avocado is one good healthy fruit out there; they are creamy; filling and filled with delicious nutrients and good polyunsaturated fats our body needs to function effectively.

Let me know your thoughts about this.

Are you an avocado lover like us? Or not so much?.

I also wanted to remind you dear reader that I have this amazing Keto guacamole recipe; very easy to make and with all the avocado goodness.

Will leave the link here so you can check it out:

Super Quick and Delicious Keto Guacamole

Till next week dear reader.

Love always.

Eugenia R