Avocado is a food with great properties and benefits for the human organism. Consumers, increasingly concerned about health, have integrated it as a fundamental food in diet. In addition to being delicious and very easy to incorporate into multiple recipes, it has a large number of properties and provides great benefits to our body.
Avocado is full of healthy fats that are very beneficial for our body: from keeping cholesterol at bay to taking care of blood pressure, regulating blood sugar levels, taking care of the skin and increasing the absorption of nutrients, and it also has anti-inflammatory properties according to the American Institute for Cancer Research.
But let’s get to know this fruit a little more in depth.
It contains around 15 nutrients ranging from calories, carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fiber, Vitamins A, C and E, Folates, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Calcium and Sodium, as well as monounsaturated fats.
And how does all this benefit us? We tell you 10 of its benefits:
- 1.- Improvement of the functioning and communication between the nervous and muscular systems, thanks to the magnesium content.
- 2.- Helps regulate blood pressure thanks to potassium. Avocado contains 14% potassium compared to 10% in bananas, the fruit par excellence source of this mineral.
- 3.- It has antioxidant effects. It contains vitamins of groups A, C, D, K and B with cell regenerative power and folic acid, widely benefiting the muscular, immune and nervous systems, which means that diseases and infections are prevented.
- 4.- Provides a high content of the carotenoid lutein and zeaxatin, protecting the eyes against the risk of developing eye diseases such as cataracts.
- 5.- It contributes to reducing bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol, thanks to the fact that it contains oleic acid, also contributing to the reduction of inflammation. Prevents arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease, enhancing the flexibility between the walls of the heart, veins and arteries, thus preventing heart attacks or angina pectoris. It also maintains optimal blood glucose levels.
- 6.- As it has a high fiber content, it is a satiating food that helps intestinal transit and improves digestion. Just as its high carbohydrate content helps in weight loss.
- 7.-For those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, it helps to reduce joint inflammation. This fruit, rich in vitamin D, nourishes the bone system by promoting the production of calcium within the body.
- 8.- Thanks to its essential oils and its high content of vitamins C and E, it nourishes the skin, nails and hair. Its use is recommended not only to consume it, but also to apply it in aesthetic treatments.
- 9.- The high concentration of vitamin C helps facilitate the body’s absorption of nutrients and antioxidants from other vegetables you consume.
- 10.- Avocado can help prevent cancer. Studies conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, revealed that avocado distributes carotenoids and bioactive phytochemicals into the bloodstream, thus inhibiting the growth of cancer cells in the prostate.
On the other hand, researchers from the University of Granada in Spain found that oleic acid and vitamin E from avocado have the ability to reduce the risk of breast cancer, especially of the HER2-positive type, which 1 in 5 patients suffer from. It has also been shown to be highly effective in reducing the side effects of chemotherapy.
How do you know if an avocado is ripe or not?
The darker the skin, the more ripe it will be and of course whether it is soft or hard. But what really allows us to know if an avocado is at its optimal point to eat is by removing the stem from the top and if when removing it, the hole that remains is yellowish in tone, it indicates that it is ready to eat. Moreover if this colour is greenish, it means that it is not yet ripe and if it is dark in colour, it means that it is overripe.
To help the avocado ripen sooner, we can wrap the piece along with an apple or banana in newspaper and in a couple of days it will be ready. If what we want is to extend the ripening time, we can wrap it in plastic wrap or an airtight container to prevent air from reaching the fruit.
Finally, to preserve an already cut avocado, just add a few drops of lemon or vinegar and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
At Salsa Agrícola we work to ensure that our avocados are of the best quality and provide all consumers with health benefits, as well as enjoying this delicious food.
