Avocado

Avocado

Other Names: Abokado, Aguacate, Ahuacate, Alligator Pear, Avocat, Avocato, Beurre du Marin, Laurus persea, Palto, Persea americana, Persea gratissima, Persea leiogyna, Persea persea, Poire Alligator.
The avocado (Persea americana) is a tree native to Central Mexico, classified in the flowering plant family Lauraceae along with cinnamon, camphor and bay laurel. Avocado or alligator pear also refers to the fruit (botanically a large berry that contains a single seed) of the tree. Avocado is best eaten using the “nick and peel” method. This is important to remember because the greatest concentration of carotenoids can be found just beneath the skin - the dark green flesh. While most people think carotenoids is just colored orange or red, the dark green variety is also rich with this important nutrient.
See also : Avocado Leaves

Special Precautions of Avocado

• Avocado is safe for most people when the fruit is eaten in food amounts. Avocado also seems to be safe when taken by mouth as a medicine for up to six months or applied to the skin for up to three months. It generally has few side effects, although one person who used a specific avocado oil plus vitamin B12 cream for psoriasis reported mild itching.
• Keep in mind that avocado has a lot of calories because of its fat content.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of avocado as medicine during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
• Latex allergy: People who are sensitive to latex can have an allergic reaction to avocado.
• Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with AVOCADO

The benefits of Avocado are

Contrary to many beliefs, the fats in avocado are beneficial to the body. Avocado is rich in Beta-carotene, lycopene and Glutathione, types of antioxidants that provide several health benefits. It promotes healthy heart and regulates blood sugar in the body. It is also a great anti-inflammatory agent, especially when it is combined with other fruits and vegetables, since it optimizes the absorption of many types of carotenoids. Because of this, avocado is also a great anti-cancer and anti-aging agent. Brimming with the highest quality omega 3s, avocado is one of the most alkalizing foods available.

• Cancer Protection : Avocadoes are known to offer anti-cancer benefits. Its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are the ones that are responsible for preventing a person from getting cancer. Based on a study, the death of the cancer cells in the body is caused by several nutrients found on avocadoes. There are compounds present on avocadoes that have the ability to detect pre-cancerous cells. Upon detection of these harmful cells, the anti-cancer properties of avocadoes destroy them immediately to inhibit further generation and to prevent the occurrence of a more serious condition. In addition, Vitamin E is present in avocadoes. This vitamin is effective in neutralizing free radicals which might damage the cells in the body. Oral cancer and cancer in the breast and prostate are three kinds of cancer which can be avoided through the consumption of avocadoes. The potent combination of phytochemicals in an avocado prevents adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from reaching cancer cells. ATP is a substance that gives cells the energy they need to grow and spread.
• Leukemia : A study found that avocados contain a certain compound called avocatin B which has the potential to help treat this form of cancer.
• Eye Health : Avocadoes, among all other fruit options, are the greatest source of lutein. Lutein, a carotenoid, aids in protecting the eyes against diseases such as degeneration of the eye muscles and cataract. These two diseases affecting the eyes are brought about by aging, but then, teenagers or younger people are not exempted from having such; hence, it is advised that people of all ages should eat avocadoes at an early stage and continue to do so as they get older. It is the carotenoid lutein which is in-charge in decreasing, if not fully eliminating, the risk of getting blind.
• Provides Antioxidants : These pear-shaped fruit is rich in antioxidants which makes it a powerhouse of health benefits. The glutathione content of avocadoes is full of antioxidant properties. It is the antioxidant that enables the body to be guarded against free radicals which might harm the system and bring serious complications such as cancer and other heart diseases. Aside from improving one’s health, the antioxidants are also capable of preventing the symptoms of aging and boosting the immune system of an individual.
• Rich in Vitamin E, essential for glowing skin, shining hair and keeping wrinkles off your face.
• Stroke Prevention : Alligator pears contain high levels of folate which is the primary component that prevents the occurrence of stroke. According to a study conducted by a group of nutritionists, people who ate foods which are high in folate has lower risks of getting stroke compared to those who do not eat foods that are abundant in folate. In addition, avocadoes are rich in potassium. Consumption of an adequate amount of potassium is beneficial in improving the circulatory system which is also helpful in the prevention of stroke.
• Lower Cholesterol Levels : Researchers from Mexico conducted a study in the year 1996 regarding the health benefits offered by avocadoes. There were a number of people who volunteered to eat avocadoes everyday and were put under observation. After a short period of time, it was found out that these volunteers have experienced an average of 17% decrease in their total blood cholesterol. The result of this study has proven that the daily consumption of avocado is indeed beneficial to people with high cholesterol levels. One component of these alligator pears is the monosaturated fats. These monosaturated fats are the ones that have a big effect on the reduction of the cholesterol levels. Also, avocadoes contain beta-sitosterol which is said to be effective in lowering the levels of blood cholesterol in the body. People who have hypercholesterolemia included avocadoes in their diet for a week and have experienced a 22% decrease in their bad cholesterol (LDL) and an increase of 11% in their good cholesterol (HDL)
• Blood Pressure Regulation : Avocadoes, being an abundant source of potassium, are very effective in regulating one’s blood pressure. It is the potassium content of avocado that enables it to control the blood pressure levels. Eating avocado and availing its potassium benefits can help a person avoid getting heart failure since it acts as a weapon against diseases which might affect the circulatory system. Moreover, avocadoes have a balanced amount of nutrients. They have high potassium contents and are low in sodium. This proportion makes it capable to act more successfully with regard to the reduction of high blood pressure risks. Also, blood pressure levels are lowered through the glutathione and folate compounds which are present in avocadoes. Alligator pears are known to improve the cardiovascular health of an individual as well.
• Treating osteoarthritis. Taking certain (unsaponifiable fractions) avocado and soybean oils by mouth seems to significantly improve pain and reduce overall disability. These oils seem to be more effective for hip than knee osteoarthritis.
• Contains Anti-inflammatory properties : These anti-inflammatory properties of avocadoes are one of the reasons why it is widely known to be beneficial for one’s health. Having anti-inflammatory properties, avocadoes can surely combat numerous diseases and can be an effective aid in boosting the immune system of a person. Once the immune system of an individual is enhanced, the risk of getting sick from time to time is lessened and the probability of being sick might even go nil for a certain period of time when the person regularly consumes foods who have anti-inflammatory properties such as the avocado. The anti-inflammatory properties of these alligator pears can be very beneficial to people who have asthma, sore throat, and other inflammations in the body. The soreness of the affected areas can be treated through consuming avocadoes.
• Pregnancy: Folic acid is commonly recommended for pregnant women to help the fetus develop its brain and other vital organs. But some health experts consider synthetically extracted folic acid a problem. They recommend using natural folate for its folic acid content instead.
• Anti-aging: The master antioxidant glutathione supports the liver and the nervous system. It is responsible for replenishing and recycling other antioxidants in the body. It is vital for a strong immune system, and avocado is one of the few foods that contain a considerable amount of glutathione. Avocado oil protects cellular mitochondria to prevent free radical damage and aging.
• Digestion: Nutrients and enzymes in avocado reduce inflammation in the stomach and small intestine's mucous lining. This also improves the body's ability to absorb carotenoids and nutrients.
• While you may automatically discard the avocado pit when you slice into an avocado, you may want top think again. According to a 2004 Journal of Food Chemistry, avocado pits are rich in antioxidants, and are also rich in soluble fiber, which can help those with cholesterol. Raw food enthusiasts have begun to add avocado pits to their favorite smoothies, to add texture and nutrition to already healthy drinks. Try adding an avocado pit to your next fruity concoction, for added nutritional benefits.