by Vea Terrie

Created on: March 09, 2009   Last Updated: March 16, 2009

Avocado is available all year round and is one of the most versatile and beneficial fruits. Among the benefits obtained from avocados are skin health, weight loss, cancer protection, heart health, reduction of cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Skin Health

In cosmetics, avocado stimulates collagen to strengthen the skin, improve its texture and reduce wrinkles. Rich in vitamin E, avocados can also slow the aging process. When compared to olive, soy, and almond oils, avocado oil was able to penetrate more deeply into the skin easily transporting nutrients down into the deeper layers. It also makes a superior sunscreen.

Weight Loss

For dieters, calories can be reduced by replacing butter, margarine, cheese or other fats on a sandwich with mashed avocado. Although an average avocado contains 30 grams of fat, 20 of those fat grams are the healthy monounsaturated fats.

Cancer Protection

Haas avocados are available in supermarkets all year long. Research is now showing that, without harming normal cells, certain compounds found in these avocados can kill or stop the growth of precancerous cells in the mouth before they have a chance to become cancerous and spread. There is also evidence that the antioxidants glutathione and vitamin E may have the ability to inhibit the growth of prostrate cancer, while oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat found in avocados, can prevent breast cancer.

Heart Health, Stroke Prevention and Reduction in Cholesterol

The antioxidants glutathione and vitamin E along with the monounsaturated fats found in avocados can help to prevent heart disease, while the high levels of folate in avocados can lower the risk of stroke.

The monounsaturated fat oleic acid and the compound betasitosterol can lower LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels while increasing HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol).

Blood Pressure

Avocados are very low in sodium and high in the mineral potassium that helps to regulate blood pressure. According to the FDA, "Diets containing foods that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke."

Eye Health

Avocados contain more of the carotenoid lutein than most fruits. Lutein is known to protect against cataracts and the devastating disease of macular degeneration.

Nutrition Absorption

Avocados offer the additional benefit of aiding in the absorption of more nutrients when eaten with other vegetables such as salads. When a comparison is made, fewer nutrients are absorbed when other vegetables are eaten without avocados.

Resources

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/avocado-advantage
http://www.regenerativenutrition.com/content.asp?id= 443
http://www.avocado.org/healthy-living/nutrition
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/0709041 14442.htm
http://www.bragg.com/healthinfo/features/avocado.htm l

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