Amazing Health Benefits Of Avocado

 

The avocado (Biological name: Persea americana) is a native to Central Mexico, belonging to family Lauraceae. It is an egg-shaped, green-skinned fruit. They are epidemically found and are cultivated in tropical and Mediterranean climates.

Also known as Alligator Pear, Avocado fruit is generally pale to rich-yellow with bland taste. It has single seed, oblate or conical in shape and ivory in color. Few fruits are seedless. This fruit have enormous nutritional value and is treated as best diet for babies.                                                                

Composition:

Avocados have high nutritional value. Its calorific value is 160 per 100 grams of Avocados. Its components include:

• Vitamins : vitamin B (vitamin B1, vitamin B1, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, Biotin, Choline, Folate, Pantothenic Acid), vitamin C, vitamin , vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K

• Carbohydrate: Fibre, Monosaccharides, Disaccharides

• Proteins

• Minerals

• Phytosterols: beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol

• Carotenoids: beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lutein, neochrome, neoxanthin, chrysanthemaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and violaxanthin

• Flavonoids: epicatechin and epigallocatechin 3-0-gallate

• Fatty Acids: Alpha-linolenic acid an omega-3 fatty acid, Omega-6 Fatty Acids and oleic acid

 List of Avocado’s health benefits is vast and below we summarized its uses and effects on various organs:

Cancer:

Avocados contains highest amount of carotenoids, tocopherols and oleic acid involved in termination of cancerous growth. Research studies have disclosed Avocado as a potent anticancer agent used in the treatment of Prostate, Breast and Oral Cancers.
Phytochemicals extracted from avocado inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Its possible mechanism of action might be attributed by targeting multiple signaling pathways and increasing the amount of reactive oxygen within the cells, leading to cell death in pre-cancerous cell lines.

Diabetes:

Avocado comprises monounsaturated-fat which regulates blood glucose levels. Diet with Avocado is must to manage the risk and progression of Diabetes.

Eye health:

Zeaxanthin and lutein in Avocado are promising means of improving eyesight. They keep eye safe from eye diseases such as cataracts and age related macular degeneration.

Cholesterol:

Avocado is a rich source of linoleic acid and oleic acid that lower cholesterol levels. Additionally, it also contains beta-sitosterol that regulates blood cholesterol level.

Heart:

Glutathione in Avocados protects your heart. Glutathione, an antioxidant limits lipid peroxidation, protects arterial walls from inflammation thus preventing subsequent cardiovascular diseases.
Avocado oil contains monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, linolenic acid, vitamin B that supports heart and mimics Cardiovascular Health.

Digestive system:

 Incorporate Avocado into your diet to facilitate digestive system functions. It helps preventing diarrhea, constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other symptoms of digestive disorders. Avocado contains minerals, healthy fats, vitamins and fiber that improve digestion and benefit the digestive system.

Glutathione Source:

Avocado improves glutathione levels in your body.  In short glutathione is known as mother of anti-oxidants. It helps in treating eye disorders, ageing, cancers, heart disorders, intestinal disorders and improves immune system.

Skin:

Vitamin A rich Avocado removes dead cells and keeps skin radiant. Massage regularly with Avocado oil to moisturize your skin. Additionally it contains Vitamin E, and Vitamin C that rejuvenates your skin. You can prepare avocado mask by adding one cup of avocado, Couple tablespoons of honey, one tablespoon of lemon juice. Mash the mixture and apply gently to your skin. Avocado also cleanses your skin and minimizes wrinkles. Protects skin from UV radiations, dust and chemicals.

Hypertension:

Potassium is an electrolyte that lowers high blood pressure. It increases blood flow in arteries relaxing arterial walls. Avocado rich in Potassium and magnesium serves the purpose of regulating and controlling blood pressure.

Arthritis:

Avocado is an anti-inflammatory agent which reduces the risk and progression of Arthritis. Arthritis includes both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The primary symptom of Arthritis is inflammation. Avocado comprises phytosterols that lower the inflammatory activity of immune cells.

Nutrition & Food:

Avocado has great calorific value. It contains vitamins, minerals, Proteins, Carbohydrate etc that strengthens your body and improves your health. Avocado is popularly used as a salad fruit. Added as an important constituent in sandwiches and as a flavor in ice cream. Avocados oil extracts are used in the preparation of sauces, salads, and marinades. Also used to garnish black bean soup.

Immunity:

 Avocado oil is rich in sterolins. Sterolins are glucosides, having both anti-inflammatory and immune modulating properties. Avocado removes toxins from the body and boost up the immune system.

Hair:

Use of heat appliances and chemicals to your hair, results in brittle, dry and damaged hair. No worries!!! Here you have a perfect remedy to keep your hair healthy, smooth and shiny. Avocado oil rich in source of proteins and vitamins conditions and strengthens your hair.

To one cup of 1 avocado, add one cup of water, one tablespoon of olive oil, one white egg. Stir the mixture well and apply to hair evenly from root to tip. Rinse it after one hour.

You can also try one cup of avocado and two tablespoon of honey. Blend well and apply to hair. Rinse after 30 minutes. You are left with soft and lustrous hair. Repeat this remedy twice in a week for best results.

Scalp:

Pamper yourself with warm Avocado oil and massage gently to your scalp. Cover with a shower cap and wash off after 30 minutes. Avocado reduces dry scalp itchiness and treats dandruff.

Preventing Fetal Defect:

Folic acid is actually Vitamin B9, part of the vitamin B complex, types of water-soluble vitamins. With its water soluble vitamins can not be stored longer in the body because after it is taken by the body and then expelled through the urine. By its nature, the pregnant women and mothers who intend to become pregnant should mengasup folic acid every day. This vitamin helps the body produce and maintain the perfection of DNA (Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid), the genetic material of the body.
Experts recommend that, pregnant women should mengasup source of folic acid from fresh fruit or vegetable salad. Because the vegetables are cooked folatnya acid content of 80% is lost during the cooking process.

Create a healthy fetus

The richest fruit acid content avocado folatnya is often found in mixed ice, ice jazzed, and avocado juice. Many people are afraid to eat this fruit because it assumes a very high fat content of avocados. It is true, the fat content in avocados can be 20-30 times more than other fruits. But keep in mind, the fat contained in the avocado is good fat. Namely monounsaturated fat is touted to help reduce levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and raise HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol).

Avocado is the only fruits that contain monounsaturated fatty acids. For pregnant women who need the fat as energy producers, will certainly be better if diasup fats are unsaturated. In addition, avocados are also the richest fruit-vitamin folic acid that must be met even by mothers who intend to become pregnant and pregnant women from the newly formed embryo.

According to Prof. dr. Joseph Hersh from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA, first trimester is a time of formation of the central nervous system of the fetus, including brain and spinal cord. Infants can suffer from folic acid deficiency heart problems, cleft lip, urinary tract defects, and other limb defects. Research in 1991 also found an association between folic acid and birth defects. Folic-acid deficiency that affects the formation of brain function, nerve, and bone-marrow was found to result in babies born with disabilities.

As in other nutritional substances, if the fetus did not obtain supplies of folic acid, he will take it from reserves of the mother. This will adversely affect maternal health. In addition to anemia, fatigue, lethargy, insomnia (sleeplessness), forgetfulness, depression, until the gray hair, the mother is threatened also by the risk of colon cancer, breast, and pancreas.