Go For the Green You could be neglecting the most important section of pulp that clings onto the peel as you scoop out an avocado. The darker green areas that line the peel are what contain the highest amounts of health-boosting antioxidants.
The outermost flesh is actually the healthiest (edible) part of the berry. Those slightly rough pieces are where the carotenoids hide. Carotenoids are essentially antioxidants, though you may also recognize them as natural pigments: they give carrots, apricots, and flamingoes their color.
Did you know that in a California Avocado the greatest concentration of beneficial nutrients is in the dark green area of the fruit just below the skin? It's true. In 2009 UCLA held a phytonutrients study on the California Hass Avocado and one of the biggest findings was just that.
A Whole Avocado is a Whole Lot of Calories
A single serving is meant to be one-third of an avocado; one full medium fruit has 240 calories and 24 grams of fat (even though 15 grams is monounsaturated, the heart-healthiest type, that's still a lot!).
Eating an avocado a day is good for your health. Avocado consumption has skyrocketed in the last two decades, from an average annual consumption of 1.5 pounds per person in 1998, to 7.5 pounds in 2017.
If you're really watching your weight, Cucuzza says, it's probably wise to stick to about one-half to one whole avocado per day, assuming you are also eating other sources of healthy fats.
Excess intake of avocados may also cause constipation due to its high fiber content. On the other hand, the fruit is high in water too. Consuming the fruit in excess may make it difficult for your body to absorb all the water properly, potentially leading to diarrhea.
When should I eat avocado morning or night? A. Avocado can be consumed any time of the day, as a tasty addition to any meal. Having it during the day has its own set of benefits like improved blood flow and lower blood sugar along with lower calorie consumption while eating it at night may help you sleep better.
We don't suggest going on a guacamole only diet (although that does sound delicious), but if you're looking to burn belly fat, incorporating an avocado into your meals may do your waistline some good. Avocados are also packed with monounsaturated fats which increase fat burning and help scorch calories after eating.
However, this mix should be eaten in moderation. "The ideal way not to risk exaggerating with fat and calories is to bring to the table half avocado combined with two eggs, preferably hard-boiled, no more than a couple of times a week," says the expert, who here shares 5 good reasons to choose this meal combination.
Both olive oil and avocado oil are considered good fats and are an excellent source of monounsaturated fatty acids, which can help improve heart health. On the other hand, olive oil is slightly more nutritious on the whole because it contains more potassium, calcium, iron and vitamins.
Both bananas and avocados are rich in potassium, which reduces vascular calcification - a common complication in both heart and kidney disease. Banana is beneficial for the health in more ways than one, while avocado is a great choice for people on a diet.
Eat one-half to one avocado a day to reap the health benefits of the fruit. There are not many downsides to eating more than one avocado a day, though their high fat content might cause some stomach discomfort.
The most popular varieties of avocado are the Hass (shown above) with its pebbly purple-black skin when ripe, and the pear shaped Shepard which has smooth, thin, green skin. The yellow-green flesh has a rich smooth consistency and a nutty flavour. Choose ripe avocados which are soft but free from dark sunken spots.
The recommended serving size is smaller than you'd expect: 1/3 of a medium avocado (50 grams or 1.7 ounces). One ounce has 50 calories. Avocados are high in fat. But it's monounsaturated fat, which is a "good" fat that helps lower bad cholesterol, as long as you eat them in moderation.
You get protection from disease and infection
Avocados are a great source of B vitamins, which help prevent disease and infection, reports WebMD. They are also loaded with vitamins C and E, plus natural plant chemicals that may help prevent cancer.
This is because avocados are high in healthy fats and fiber, which give you more energy and boost your metabolism. Fiber is also known to aid in digestion and can aid in weight loss. This is why avocado toast can be a great snack for you if you're trying to lose weight.
The result is that you lose weight. Meyer's advice is to eat an avocado around lunchtime so you will feel fuller until dinner and not be tempted to snack. If you are a snacker, she suggests snacking on avocados.
“Aubergines, avocado, nuts and soy sauce all contain an amino acid called tyramine. This amino acid may inhibit sleep as it causes the release of a hormone called norepinephrine that stimulates the brain,” nutritionist Rob Hobson told the U.K. Express in a story that has been picked up by several other outlets.
She adds that avocados also contain magnesium and potassium—two minerals associated with better sleep. Studies have shown magnesium might make it easier to fall asleep and improve your sleep quality. Meanwhile, potassium helps by relaxing your muscles and may even help improve symptoms of sleep apnea.
Before you get all worked up, just know that this is just a myth. In fact, as Extra Crispy reports, avocados also contain tryptophan. You probably associate tryptophan with big turkey dinners, but the amino acid that makes you sleepy is also found in other foods (soybeans, cheese, beans, and eggs for example).
Avoid mixing starchy fruits with high-protein fruits
Some fruits that are starchy in nature include green bananas and plantains. It is important to avoid mixing these fruits with high-protein fruits such as guava, dried apricot, kiwifruit, avocado, and blackberries.
Interactions with Other Drugs:
Avocadoes are rich in potassium and may interact with drugs like lisinopril, ramipril, captopril are used in hypertension.
Avocados
Avocados are one of the best sources of monounsaturated fats. This type of fat can lower high blood pressure and prevent high blood pressure. A single avocado also has more than 10 grams of blood pressure-reducing fiber.