Avocados, The Super Food?

They are everywhere.

Hey folks,

If you are like me, you have notice a new trend. Avocados. They are adding it to everything. New sandwiches, well, same old, but now smothered in Avocado. Yes my friends, Avocados are not just for guacamole anymore. Now they are for your Turkey Sandwich, Italian Sub, BLT, and, well, anything. Seriously. They are everywhere.

I have heard them called the Super Food. Because Avocados provide you with vitamins A, C, E, K and B6. It's also suppose to be good for the skin. So? Are they the super food everyone makes them out to be? According to Eat This. I kid you not. According to Eat This....

Prostate Cancer Prevention

Avocados have been shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer.

Oral Cancer Defense

Research has shown that certain compounds in avocados are able to seek out pre-cancerous and cancerous oral cancer cells and destroy them without harming healthy cells.

Now wait. If that is true, that something in the Avocado can seek out Cancer Cells, destroy them, leaving healthy cells alone? Why are scientist working on that right now? Could we not possibly have a cure for Cancer in our little green friends? I know Cancer is a billion dollar business,,, that's a whole other post. But seriously? That's quite the claim. But it's not just Oral Cancer. Or Prostate Cancer.

Breast Cancer Protection 

Avocado, like olive oil, is high in oleic acid, which has been shown to prevent breast cancer in numerous studies.

So basically, Cancer. I hope someone is looking into these claims. We have seen other foods claim Cancer Prevention. So this or that form. I have never heard of one claiming Breast, Prostate, and Oral. The Skin is said to help Skin Cancer as well. Just don't eat it. But that's not it.

Eye Health

Avocados have more of the carotenoid lutein than any other commonly consumed fruit. Lutein protects against macular degeneration and cataracts, two disabling age-related eye diseases.

Lower Cholesterol

Avocados are high in beta-sitosterol, a compound that has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. In one study, 45 volunteers experienced an average drop in cholesterol of 17% after eating avocados for only one week.

Heart Health

One cup of avocado has 23% of the recommended daily value of folate. Studies show that people who eat diets rich in folate have a much lower incidence of heart disease than those who don't. The vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, and glutathione in avocado are also great for your heart.

Stroke Prevention

The high levels of folate in avocado are also protective against strokes. People who eat diets rich in folate have a much lower risk of stroke than those who don't.Better Nutrient Absorption

Research has found that certain nutrients are absorbed better when eaten with avocado. In one study, when participants ate a salad containing avocados, they absorbed five times the amount of carotenoids (a group of nutrients that includes lycopene and beta carotene) than those who didn't include avocados.

Glutathione Source

Avocados are an excellent source of glutathione, an important antioxidant that researchers say is important in preventing aging, cancer, and heart disease.

Vitamin E Powerhouse

Avocados are the best fruit source of vitamin E, an essential vitamin that protects against many diseases and helps maintains overall health.

OK. So maybe they really are a super food. Just remember though, The average Avocado is also packed with 322 calories and 975 mg of potassium. So be careful out there my Diabetic friends. And those watching calories.

Now I'm NOT anti-Avocado. Please do not misunderstand. My Wife Laura introduced me to the best Sandwich I have ever eaten. I'm not joking. Avocado and Hummus, with raw Onion on Flat Bread. Folks, you have to try it. I had a regular Hummus and a Roasted Red Pepper Hummus and Avocado Sandwich. Both are unbelievable. Now I don't know about adding Avocados to everything, but it IS great with Hummus.

So there you go. If you are trying to be a little more healthy, maybe we really need to look into our little green friends a bit more.
Peter

 Sources:
Eat This - 10 Health Benefits of Avocados
Fast Fit Tips - Avocado Nutrition Facts – Health Benefits of Avocado