It’s no secret that avocados are one of the trendiest foods of the moment. Not only are they super Instagram-worthy, they’re also full of nutrients and really good for the body in a variety of ways. Avocados are incredibly versatile so you can get the benefits of this superfood in more than one way without breaking the bank. This green fruit should be a staple in every person’s home! If you want to know how to make avocados a part of your diet and daily beauty regimen, check out this list of nine health and beauty benefits of avocados!
Avocados add more than just great flavor and beautiful color to a dish. Although one serving of this superfood is only 64 calories, it contains 5 grams of monounsaturated fat (good fat) and nearly 3 grams of fiber. There is also less than one gram of sugar per serving of avocado making this fruit even more healthy! Avocados are also a great source of vitamins C, E, K, and B-6 as well as omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium. No wonder avocado is considered a superfood!
Avocados are very high in potassium, containing almost twice as much as bananas! Just half of an avocado carries almost 15% of your daily recommended intake of potassium. A diet high in potassium results in a few benefits to your health. The most significant being that high-potassium diets are linked to reduced blood pressure, in turn lowering your risk of heart attacks, kidney failure, and strokes. Next time you reach for a banana, change things up and opt for an avocado instead!
Even though avocado is a high-fat food, most of the fat is a monounsaturated fatty acid called oleic acid. This fatty acid not only keeps the heart healthy, it also reduces the risk of heart disease. Furthermore, this good fat helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that the monounsaturated fatty acids in avocados help boost good cholesterol and aid in lowering bad cholesterol. Eating just one avocado a day can result in a nearly 15 milligram drop in bad cholesterol! Another reason why we heart avocado!
Another health benefit of avocado is its fiber content! One 2 tablespoon serving of avocado carries 3 grams of fiber, almost 13% of the daily recommended intake. An entire avocado consisting of 10 grams of this healthy carb! Fiber comes in two forms: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber aids the body in absorbing even more nutrients from other healthy foods while insoluble fiber helps the body pass food through it. By eating avocados, you’re not only reaping the benefits of this green food but also promoting the absorption of nutrients from other healthy foods!
Not only do avocados help absorb antioxidants from other foods, they are high in antioxidants themselves! Some of the antioxidants found in avocados include carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which are excellent for eye health. Studies have shown that these antioxidants reduce the risk of cataracts and other eye health issues. Be sure to take a peek at this beautiful green health food the next time you’re at the grocery store – they sure are a sight for sore eyes!
Because avocados are so packed with nutrients and healthy fat, eating just a small amount will cause you to feel full sooner. This can help promote weight loss as well as help reduce the chance of overeating. Add avocado to salads, smoothies, burgers, toast, and everything in between to help maintain calorie intake and in turn feel good about filling up!
The oils in avocado are what give it that rich, creamy texture and feel we all know and love. By using avocado or avocado oil on your hair, you can reap these same benefits when it comes to your locks! Applying an avocado hair-mask to your hair on a regular basis can result in hydrated and conditioned hair. It can also nourish your scalp, promote healthy growth, repair damaged ends, and unclog hair follicles. To make an avocado hair-mask at home, mix together one mashed avocado, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons raw honey, and 2 drops of lavender essential oil. Apply this to your hair, root to tip, and aim a blow dryer at the mask for 15 minutes. After this, shampoo and rinse your hair. Repeat this once a week for the best results! You’re welcome!
One health and beauty benefit of avocados that is often over-looked is it’s contribution to strong and healthy nails! The oils and fats in avocado help nails stay strong and cuticles soft. Also, much like with hair, nails need keratin protein to grow strong and healthy. The potassium in avocados increases keratin in the body resulting in shiny and smooth nails. Who doesn’t want that!?
Along with vitamin E found in avocados, there are several other nutrients that can help keep skin moisturized and nourished. The oils in avocado can also help treat dry or flaky skin as the outermost layer of skin on our face absorbs these oils and vitamins easily, helping form new and healthy skin. Another perk of avocado is its anti-aging properties. Consuming healthy fats, like those found in avocados, have been proven to help the skin retain its elasticity. You can also create a moisturizing avocado face-mask at home by mixing half of an avocado with half a cup of oatmeal. Apply this mixture to your face, leave on for 10 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.
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