Top 5 Health Benefits of Avocados

We need fat to survive, the right kind of fat that is. I am not talking about a greasy cheeseburger or a thick crust pizza. I am talking about healthy fats that come from avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seafood. Yes, these foods contain fat, but they are so-called ‘good fats’.

I remember when I was 5-6 years old living in Bulgaria, my grandma used to send my mom and I avocados from Israel. We had never seen avocados before in our life and we were totally confused what that hard large thing was lol. Once we found out we had to wait a few days for the avocado to ripen we fell in love with the fruit. (Did you know that avocados are actually a fruit?)

Here are the top 5 health benefits of avocados:

1. Promotes Weight Loss

Eating a high fat food for weight loss seems counterintuitive, but it works! Eaten in moderation avocados can actually help you lose weight. Avocados are a great healthy alternative to foods that contain saturated fats and are also nutrient dense food, so even a small portion of this delicious fruit will go a long way. Eating fat also helps to increase satiety hormones that will help you stay fuller longer.

2. Supports Digestive Health

One avocado contains approximately 9.2 grams of fiber. A diet high in fiber supports healthy digestion by keeping things regular. Avocados also stimulate the healthy functioning of your digestive organs, including your pancreas, gallbladder, liver and intestinal tract according to Dr. Ben Kim.

3. Improves Heart Health

Avocados are full of ‘good fats’ with 3 grams of monounsaturated fat and 0.5 polyunsaturated grams fat per 1-oz. serving. When eaten instead of saturated fats (more effective than eliminating fat all together), these healthy fats can help lower cholesterol and improve blood lipids.

4. Cancer Prevention

Several studies have demonstrated avocados cancer preventing abilities. In one study conducted at The Ohio State University found nutrients taken from avocados can attack some oral cancer cells and prevent other pre-cancerous cells from developing into actual cancers of the mouth. Another study published in Cancer Research found molecules derived from avocados to target the stem cells of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), while leaving healthy cells unharmed.