Reasons to Eat an Avocado Every Day
They Have So Many Vitamins and Minerals
Like, so many. Just one avocado contains significant amounts of eight vital nutrients, stretching from the key vitamins like K and C to rare minerals such as folate. Each one of these nutrients plays a pivotal role in your health — so eating an avocado is kind of like eating part of a multivitamin.
They Help Prevent Diabetes
Diabetes prevention happens when you regulate your blood sugar using healthy foods. Avocados are insanely effective at doing this. One study analyzed the difference in the blood glucose levels of the studied population before and after lunch. One group was given half an avocado with their meal and another was given the same meal without avocado. The group that ate the creamy, green fruit experienced dramatically less blood sugar fluctuation after eating. After hearing that, we’re tempted to pack halves with our lunches every day.
They Lower Cholesterol
Fatty acids in avocados lower bad cholesterol and bump up the good cholesterol in your system. The good cholesterol continues to lower the bad kind — so basically, healthy fats are the best way to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
They Lower Your Risk for Heart Disease
Potassium, one of the reasons avocados are so nutritious, is necessary to keep your blood pressure low and steady. High blood pressure can be dangerous for your heart, making it work harder to pump blood and beating regularly. For this reason, high blood pressure can seriously increase your risk of heart disease or another cardiac problem. Potassium helps prevent that — thank you, guacamole!
They Make Healthy Desserts Super Creamy
Have you ever tried adding an avocado to your smoothie? If you haven’t, you’re seriously missing out on one of the many ways to make your smoothie taste like dessert. Other avocado-based confections are out there, too — avocado mousse, cakes, and frostings. The creamy avocado adds a silky, rich texture to the dish.
They Make the Other Foods You Eat Even Healthier
If you eat a nutritious food but don’t absorb any of the nutrients, is it still nutritious? In short, no. If you can’t absorb the good stuff from the food, it’s all going to s--- (literally) when it passes right through your system.
Many nutrients are “fat-soluble”, meaning they need to be eaten alongside some fat in order to get absorbed during digestion. Avocados provide that fat, alongside the fat-soluble vitamins themselves. So eating an avocado not only gives you tons of nutrients, but it makes whatever else you’re eating healthier, too. Doesn’t get much better than that.
They Make You Happier
You know that saying “You’re just one workout away from a good mood”? Yeah, we’re nixing that and replacing “workout” with “avocado.” You’re welcome.
Both folate and potassium deficiencies have been linked to depression in various studies. You could either go grab a banana or just add in that daily avocado. It truly can work wonders!
They’re Good for Your Digestion
In addition to healthy fats and loads of micronutrients, avocados also have a whole lot of fiber. Your digestion relies on fiber to keep things moving. A whole avocado has over half of your recommended daily value of fiber. So by feeding it the dense fruit, you’re really helping your body out to keep things regular.
You Need Healthy Fats
Seriously, guys. You need healthy fats. As if you haven’t been convinced already, here are some things that could happen if you don’t get enough of the nutrient:
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Worsening cholesterol
- Extreme fatigue
- Dry skin
- Menstrual irregularities (in women)
- Need I go on? Get your healthy fats however you please, but avocados sound like a great way to guarantee you’re getting enough.
You’ll Get Better Hair
Apparently, 1 in 4 men thinks the secret to better hair is smearing some avocado on toast. While it’s likely not the elixir balding men are looking for, avocados are really good for your hair. The vitamin C and folic acid support hair health to keep it shining and growing as you age.