Everywhere you go you hear about the avocado and how amazing it is.
The fruit’s recent popularity spike can be attributed to its abundance of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Those nutritional values have drawn people everywhere to add it into their diets.
Initially grown in South America, the avocado is very popular with Spanish speaking countries. That popularity is what brought them to the United States and to Mexican restaurants all over the country. The avocado has much to offer, and the article below from livestrong.com offers some of the health benefits of avocado.
What Are the Health Benefits of Guacamole and Avocados?
By Jill Andrews
According to Foodreference.com, avocados were first found in South America and migrated to the United States in the 1800s. Foodreference.com states that California is currently the largest producer of avocados in the United States. The avocado is a fruit that is rich in many vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Guacamole is a dip or spread that can be made from avocados, combined with spices, seasonings, and lemon juice. Consuming the avocado in whole form, or as a spread for food, can be expected to benefit your health.
Weight Maintenance
The University of Michigan reports that the healthy fats in avocado can provide you with greater satiety for longer periods of time, and helps to prevent overeating. As a result, the addition of avocado to your diet may help you maintain a healthy weight and help prevent weight gain. Adding avocado to a salad or spreading guacamole on a sandwich helps to boost satiety.
Treatment of Angina
The University Of Maryland Medical Center reports that avocado is a good dietary source of carnitine. Carnation is a nutrient that helps the body turn dietary fats into energy for your body. Carnation may also be used in combination with other medications in the treatment of angina. In addition, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports that carnation may help decrease symptoms of heart failure and improve capacity for exercise in people with heart failure. The Linus Pauling Institute reports that one medium avocado contains 2 mg of carnitine. In comparison, a 3 oz. serving of chicken contains 3 mg of carnitine, while a 1/2 cup serving of asparagus contains 0.2 mg of carnitine.
Phytochemicals
The avocado is classified as a fruit. According to the University of Michigan, fruits are abundant in phytochemicals. They report that consuming phytochemical-rich food may lower your risk for heart disease and cancer. Adding avocado to your daily diet is a good way to increase your intake of phytochemicals from fruits. According to a 2009 study in Journal of Nutrition and Cancer, avocados supply a rich amount of phytochemicals with possible chemopreventive activity. This suggests that avocados may play a role in the prevention of some types of cancer.
Benefits To Elders
Avocados are a rich source of several vitamins, including the essential vitamin E. A 2008 report in “Medical News Today” says a healthy dietary intake of vitamin E may help reduce physical decline in older people, as vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps prevent the growth of free radicals in your body. When allowed to proliferate, free radicals normally contribute to physical decline. “Medical News Today” reports that the avocado is a good source of vitamin E with 2.8 mg in one whole avocado. In contrast, one cup of grapes contains 1.1 mg of vitamin E, while 3.5 oz. of catfish contains 1.3 mg of vitamin E. The RDA for both women and men, 14 years or older, is 15 mg.
Cholesterol And Blood Pressure
According to the University of Michigan, avocados are a good source of healthy, monounsaturated fats. The University of Michigan reports that monounsaturated fats are healthy additions to the diet because they help to nourish your body, sustain your energy, aid in healing processes, and promote a healthy cellular environment. According to the University of Michigan, studies suggest that a diet rich in monounsaturated fats has a positive impact on cholesterol and blood pressure.
With everything that the avocado has to offer, it is no wonder that it’s finding its way into so many dishes. The appeal of this small fruit has grown over the years, and it seems like it will continue to grow in popularity with every new dish. At Mexicali Grill in Spencer, MA, and Playa del Carmen in Holden, MA, we are certainly doing our share. Our menu utilizes this super food in a variety of dishes that are sure to satisfy any craving.