by Jessica Bosari

Created on: March 06, 2009   Last Updated: March 18, 2009

Originating in Mexico and Central America, avocados are now grown in warm climates worldwide. Avocados are rich in vitamins B, E, A and C, all powerful antioxidants. These fruits also contain high concentrations of potassium, calcium, magnesium and monounsaturated fats. Eating avocados can benefit your health in many ways.

Cut open an avocado and you discover a smooth, creamy, luscious pulp. Green near the peel, it has a smooth yellow-green flesh closer to the large cheerful pit that sits in the center. The avocado's sweet and delicate flavors sit in stark contrast to the dark, furrowed outer shell.

The nutrients in avocados benefit your nervous system, ensuring the proper functioning of neurotransmitters. This soothing fruit can also help you sleep better, further supporting the nervous system's health.

The fats in avocados help your heart by supplying ample amounts of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. These healthy fats lower bad cholesterol, leading to a healthier heart, reducing the risk of heart attack and angina. They can also slow to build up of arterial plaque.

The B vitamins in avocados help your body to absorb more of the antioxidant carnitine found in red meats. The other powerful antioxidants, vitamins A, E and C, will fight free radical damage, helping to slow the aging process and prevent a host of deadly diseases.

Avocados can benefit your eyes with a high concentration of lutein and vitamin A. This makes it an excellent food for preventing cataracts and macular degeneration.

Avocados are also a powerful cancer fighter. This fruit contains toxins that have been shown to kill precancerous and cancerous cells. The fruit is especially known for its effectiveness in fighting prostate, breast and mouth cancers.

When selecting avocados, look for ones with stems that pulls off easily. Buy them when they are still green and firm, then ripen them at home by leaving them on the counter for a few days.

Avocados are high in calories, so it is best just to eat one or two slices per day. When exposed to the air, the flesh tends to discolor easily. You can help prevent this by sprinkling a little lemon juice on the fruit. Wrap the remaining portion in plastic and refrigerate.

With so many nutrients, this well-rounded nutritional wonder should be a staple in your diet. It is excellent as a soup, mashed as guacamole or simply scooped from the peel with a spoon.

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