7 Incredible Benefits of Avocado that You Should Know

Did you know in South America because of its rough textured skin, which is dark green in color, avocado is called the alligator pear? While you may know avocado is healthy, you may not know that many nutritional experts consider avocado to be a superfood. Hence, using this fruit and its oil can have many benefits you may be unaware of.

1. Lowering Bad Cholesterol

This fruit with silky flesh is high in natural fats that can do your cardiovascular health a lot of good. Avocado contains high levels of monounsaturated oleic acid, which can reduce bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and simultaneously increase good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol).

2. Maintaining a Healthy Heart

Avocado is a good source of potassium that helps regulate blood pressure. In addition, this superfood also contains phytosterols, which work to reduce absorption of cholesterol. The folate in the fruit helps reduce high levels of homocysteine in the blood. High levels of homocysteine can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke and blood clots.

3. Anti-aging Properties

Avocadoes contain Vitamin E, Vitamin C and carotenoids that work together to reduce visible signs of aging. Carotenoids are antioxidants that destroy free radicals attacking the skin; Vitamin E protects your skin against photo-aging, which occurs when your skin is exposed to the sun; and Vitamin C is needed by the skin to produce collagen and elastin which help keep it supple and firm.

4. Improving Skin Tone

The monounsaturated fats present in avocado help to moisturize your skin and improve skin tone. It is due to these fats that your skin will begin to healthy and soft after regular application of this fruit. It also can ease skin irritation and redness.

5. Making Hair Lustrous and Shiny

Make your hair your crowning glory, as the fats and nutrients present in avocado can help make hair lustrous. It is a great way to naturally condition your hair and keep it healthy.

6. Aiding Weight Loss

Just because avocado is rich in fats and calories, people assume it cannot be consumed by people looking to lose excess fat. On the contrary, research has shown monounsaturated fats tend to be metabolized slowly for energy rather than being stored in the body as fat. When you consume avocado, you will feel full and satiated because of high dietary fibre content and along with monounsaturated fats, you will experience reduced appetite and hunger.

7. Reducing Discomfort and Inflammation Caused by Arthritis

Many people suffer from arthritis, which caused sore and inflamed joints. It is scientifically proven certain foods, such as sugar, milk, wheat and corn, can worsen symptoms of arthritis in some people; while some other foods, such as avocado, can reduce the pain and discomfort. The avocado contains antioxidants, phytosterols, carotenoids and monounsaturated fats that work together to ease joint inflammation.

How to Use Avocado

If you want to enjoy the benefits of avocado, here are a few tips how you can use this fruit in your day-to-day life.

• For Cardiovascular Health: To reduce bad cholesterol and maintain a healthy heart, look to eat one avocado every day. You can peel and slice the avocado, sprinkle some rock salt and pepper and enjoy it.

• For Anti-aging Benefits: After you scrap the avocado, you will see the green pulp attached to peel. This pulp is extremely rich in nutrients and vitamins. Scrape the pulp, mash it and apply directly on your skin to enjoy wrinkle-free skin.

• For Smooth Skin Tone: Take half an avocado, mash it with a fork and add honey and fresh lime juice to it. Apply this paste on your face and let it stand for about 10 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel.

• For Shiny and Healthy Hair: Mash up one avocado and apply it on your hair after washing it. Leave the avocado for about five minutes before rinsing it off thoroughly with lukewarm water.

• For Weight Loss: Slice up avocado and make a salad with tomatoes, low-fat cottage cheese and cilantro leaves. Sprinkle with a little bit of olive oil and add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy the salad and watch your weight loss endeavors bear fruit. You also can put sliced avocado through a juicer and add honey to sweeten it up a little bit. Chill it in the refrigerator before drinking this refreshing and cooling juice.

• For Arthritis: Eat avocado with salt and pepper. Alternatively, you can massage the affected joints with avocado oil to ease inflammation and pain.