What Happens to Your Body When You Eat an Avocado Every Day for a Month
Avocados have been making headlines lately, but not all of them are good. A recent study found that over 30 years, eating avocados may triple your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia (1). This news has worried people about what it means to eat avocados and whether they should avoid them altogether. Here, we’ll explore the topic and explain what happens to your body when you eat an avocado every day for a month.
Stress
It’s no secret that avocado is one of those wonder foods with amazing antioxidant properties. It contains oleic acid, which protects our cells from damage caused by stress and inflammation, says Fusco. As we increase our intake of healthy fats like avocado, they will lower our overall levels of stress hormones in our bodies and allow us to respond more effectively to stressful situations. Eating avocados can help us better handle everyday stresses as well as major life events—like finding out you have cancer or getting fired from your job. (No, really!) I tell my patients who are going through cancer treatment to eat avocados every day because it helps them feel better when they are under so much stress, says Fusco. It helps them cope better with their illness while increasing their energy at the same time.
Improves cholesterol levels
One of the avocados’ most well-known benefits is their effect on cholesterol levels. With some avocado consumption, especially in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise, it’s possible to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. We don’t recommend loading up on fatty avocados alone in an attempt to improve your cholesterol; more likely than not, you’ll just find yourself overdoing it on other unhealthy foods if you go down that road. But if you eat avocados as part of a healthy diet, they can be beneficial to your heart health.
Reduces inflammation
Admittedly, it’s not clear whether eating avocado helps with inflammation or whether you need something more than just avocados, but it can’t hurt. After all, they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to reduced inflammation in people with arthritis and autoimmune disorders. Omega-3 fatty acids also may help control type 2 diabetes. The body uses them to make signalling molecules that help cells respond to insulin and glucose better. They might even lower blood pressure. So if you’re looking for one reason to eat an avocado every day, consider reducing your risk of chronic disease.
Boosts the immune system
Avocados are loaded with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), which help decrease inflammation in your body. This can prevent premature ageing and protect against chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. And thanks to their high fibre content, avocados keep you feeling full longer. They also contain lutein, which helps improve eye health and prevents macular degeneration. Additionally, avocados contain 15 different vitamins and minerals that support good health—and they taste delicious!
Enhances brain function
Avocados are rich in oleic acid, which can help increase blood flow to your brain. Not only will your brain function better, but you’ll also notice that you have more energy and clarity. An increased amount of oxygen in your body means more vitality and alertness. And as we age, our brains naturally start to slow down; eating avocados helps fight off cognitive decline by improving blood flow to vital organs like your brain.
Weight loss
A 2013 study found that overweight people who ate half of a fresh avocado with lunch reported feeling fuller and had less desire to eat over the next 24 hours than those who didn’t consume any. What’s more, despite not being significantly different in calories or fat content, avocados are loaded with fibre and have tons of heart-healthy unsaturated fats that help prevent high cholesterol. All in all, avocados are good for you. (Nutritionists also love them because they're one of the very few fruits that are rich in vitamin E.)
Most importantly, though: Avocados taste great on everything from toast to tacos—and can even be used as a base for creamy desserts like mousse. Try making your dip by blending up some avocado with lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder and salt. Or slice up some into your salad; it’ll give your greens a nice creaminess without adding extra calories from the dressing.
Glowing skin
The avocado is loaded with anti-inflammatory fatty acids, which help boost collagen production. The result: more supple, moisturized skin and lessened appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also packed with vitamins C and E, two antioxidants that shield your skin from free radicals—those harmful little guys that cause signs of ageing. (Fun fact: did you know avocados are members of the berry family? That means they contain ellagic acid, a natural compound known to fight cancer.)
The fruit contains carotenoids, phytochemicals that give it its rich green colour. Carotenoids protect against heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels and preventing blood clots; they also keep your eyes healthy by boosting night vision. Plus, all those fats in avocados slow down digestion so you feel fuller longer—great news if you’re trying to lose weight!
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