The Avocado
As a child, I grew up around Avocados; it always seemed as if we had a few around the kitchen. My mother would add them in our meals alongside of our dishes. The crazy part was that I was never was too keen on the taste or the texture of the Avocado, I always thought, "what good are these green things anyway"? As it turns out, the Avocado is excellent for us, and very beneficial to those with various ailments and conditions.
History behind the Avocado
Avocados are also known as the “Alligator Pear”, the reason being is because of its rough green leather like texture. The words actually derived from the Azte
c word “Ahuacatl”. They come from a tree known as Persea Americana, the tree can grow as tall as 65 feet. Avocados vary in size and weight, but usually grow from somewhere around 10 ounces to 3 pounds.
Avocados are native to South and Central America, and have been cultivated for as long as 9,000 B.C. They eventually spread to Jamaica in the mid to late 17th century, and then spread to the Asian tropics around the mid to late 1800s. The United States didn’t get ahold of them until around the early part of the 20th century, and since then cultivation has taken place in warm states like Florida and California to name a few.
Why should I eat Avocados?
Well for one, they’re loaded with tons of nutrients and vitamins that can play an important role in our bodies’ health.
Like what?
- Fiber
- Vitamin K
- Folate
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B5
- Potassium
- Vitamin B6
And that’s just to name a few of its awesome components!
Some other awesome things the Avocado has are, Phytosterols like beta Campestrol, beta-sitosterol, and tigamasteral. It’s also loaded with an array of different antioxidants and it has omega 3 fatty acids in the form of A.L.A or alpha –linolenic acid.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF AVOCADOS
AVOCADOS AND ARTHRITIS
Avocados have been known to dramatically decrease the symptoms and sometimes even help prevent the effects of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. For those of you suffer from these conditions, it’s a good choice to add some to your salad or as a side dish in your daily meals. The high amounts of phytosterols are what help these conditions, they help to relieve the inflammation and lessen the pain associated with these conditions.
AVOCADOS AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Avocados are high in B6 and folic acid, as well as in A.L.A, making it a fighting force for heart health. However, some have said that since they are high in fat, that it wouldn’t make sense to eat them.
But since the fats are GOOD fats, not BAD fats, that makes them ok to eat. They’re excellent for those of you who like to work out and are very active. They are actually a great source of natural energy, and when eaten prior to working out, they can play an important role in increased physical and mental performance.
AVOCADOS AND BLOOD SUGAR REGULATION
Since they’re high in fiber, very low in sugar, and have an excellent source of antioxidants, they can help to regulate your blood sugar. Those of you who have blood sugar problems can utilize the Avocado as a healthy, and blood regulating snack. The glycemic index of an Avocado is very low and the high fiber makes it easily digestible, making it
an awesome food for those with problems like high blood pressure.
AVOCADOS AND EYE HEALTH
They have an excellent source of carotenoid lutein, which has been known to help aid and prevent against eye problem such as cataracts and macular degeneration, among other eye related problems.
AVOCADOS AND CANCER
The oleic acid found within the Avocado can actually play a huge role in helping to prevent cancer from starting in the first place. The awesome anti-inflammatory benefits also can play a role in helping the body eliminate oxidative stress and excess inflammation which can lead to horrible diseases like Cancer.
Other benefits
- Effective for weight gain
- Skin health
- Bad breath
- Anti-Ageing
- Enhances nutrient absorption
- Prevents birth defects
- Prevents strokes
- Great for hair
5 Avocado Recipes
Thanks to Greatist.com, here are 5 great recipes that we use to get the wonderful benefits of Avocados!
- Avacodo and egg breakfast pizza – http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-avocado-and-egg-breakfast-pizza-recipes-from-the-kitchn-185696
- Kiwi Avocado smoothie with Lime and Honey – http://justshortofcrazy.com/2013/02/kiwi-avocado-smoothie-with-lime-and-honey/
- Avocado and Watermelon salad – http://www.ilanafreddye.com/2012/06/summer-salad.html
- Avocado Pasta – http://www.thelondoner.me/2012/06/avocado-spagetti.html
- Avocado Lime Salmon – http://laylita.com/recipes/2008/06/30/grilled-salmon-with-avocado-salsa/
GREAT VIDEO I FOUND ON THE BENEFITS OF AVOCADOS!
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