Avocados help combat metabolic syndrome, according to a new investigative review. Avocados are absolutely packed with health benefits.
Avocados are a potent super food, and are one of the most nutritious fruits on the planet. There are so many reasons to eat avocados. They are packed with nutrition and healthy fats that help prevent inflammation and promote overall health.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the many benefits of avocados.
Anti-inflammatory benefits:
Avocados are rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients, including the following: Phytosterols, including beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and campesterol, Carotenoid antioxidants, including lutein, neoxanthin, neochrome, chrysanthemaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, violaxanthin, beta-carotene and alpha-carotene. These compounds have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties by reducing the risk of inflammatory and degenerative disorders.
Blood pressure:
Avocados are high in potassium. One cup of avocados contains 727 mg of potassium, which is 21 percent of the recommended daily value. Potassium is known to help lower blood pressure.
Healthy fats:
Avocados are very high in healthy monounsaturated fats, which are great for health. Eating monounsaturated fats can help lower blood cholesterol levels, which can decrease heart disease risk.
Lowers cholesterol:
Avocados are a good source of beta-sitosterol, which is a compound shown to lower cholesterol. It may also help improve lipid profiles in healthy individuals.
May fight cancer:
There is mounting evidence that avocados may fight caner. They help protect the body against free radical damage. Avocados are high in oleic acid, which is a monounsaturated fatty acid found in many plant sources and animal products. It is an omega-9 fatty acid, and is considered one of the healthier sources of fat. A 2009 study shows that avocados may prevent oral cancer. Another study conducted at UCLA, shows that avocado extract may help slow the growth of prostate cancer cells.
So how do avocados fight metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a name for a group of conditions including high blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and body mass index. All of these risk factors contribute to type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
As you can see above, avocados help with all of the components of metabolic syndrome.
“Avocado is a well-known source of carotenoids, minerals, phenolics, vitamins, and fatty acids,” wrote the authors of the review. “The lipid- lowering, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, antithrombotic, antiatherosclerotic, and cardioprotective effects of avocado have been demonstrated in several studies.”
The study showing that avocados help combat metabolic syndrome was published in the journal Phytotherapy Research.
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REFERENCES:
1. “Selective Induction of Apoptosis of Human Oral Cancer Cell Lines by Avocado Extracts via a ROS-mediated Mechanism.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2009. Web. 10 Apr. 2017.
2. “Inhibition of Prostate Cancer Cell Growth by an Avocado Extract: Role of Lipid-soluble Bioactive Substances.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2017.
3. “Avocados May Help Combat the Metabolic Syndrome.” Wiley. Wiley, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2017.
4. “Effects of Avocado (Persea Americana) on Metabolic Syndrome: A Comprehensive Systematic Review.” Phytotherapy Research. Wiley, 10 Apr. 2017. Web. 10 Apr. 2017.
