Believe it or not, the first food my mum ever fed me were avocados – smart woman! They contain high amounts monounsaturated oleic acid which is great for a baby’s brain development. This oleic acid – a “heart healthy” fatty acid is believed to be one of the main reasons for the health benefits of olive oil also. One avocado contains roughly 25-30g of fat and provides an abundance antioxidants as well as nutrients such as potassium (more than a banana) & fibre.
When it comes to nutrients, the total amount of them is not the only thing that matters. We also need to be able to absorb them – move them from the digestive tract and into the body, where they can be used. Some nutrients are “fat soluble,” meaning that they need to be combined with fat in order to be utilised – this includes vitamins A, D, E and K. This is an excellent reason to always include a healthy fat source when you eat veggies. Without it, a lot of the beneficial plant nutrients will go to waste.
Avocado consumers were found to be much healthier than people who didn’t eat avocados. They had a much higher nutrient intake and were half as likely to have metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms that are a major risk factor for heart disease and diabetes. Eat avocados everyday – they are an incredibly healthy food!