10 Amazing Facts About Avocados

Avocado is an interesting food item. There is a big confusion that revolves around avocado; is it a fruit or a vegetable? This green colored, pear-shaped, little food item is actually classified as a fruit. It is indeed delicious and is loaded with n number of health benefits. This article is purely dedicated to this fruit. Here, we present you 10 amazing facts about Avocado. Keep reading.

1. Avocado is more than ten thousand years old.
   Avocado has been on the eating list of people for more than 10,000 years. It is a native of America but was first spotted in Puebla in Mexico about 10,000 years ago. The gardens of America and Mexico always have avocado trees. One interesting fact about avocado is that it holds a spiritual significance for Aztec and Mayan societies. They believe that avocado gives them strength.

2. Avocados are very rich in fiber
   Avocado is fiber rich. A medium- sized avocado has about 10 grams of fiber. It is loaded with soluble as well as insoluble fiber. Of total fiber, about 75% is insoluble (it accelerates the passage of food inside the body) and 25% is soluble fiber (it makes one feel full).

3. Avocados are super food
   Avocados are power packed. They are rich in essential nutrients. Avocados are true super food. A single 100 gram serving of avocado contains:
   • Vitamin K - 26% of the RDA
   • Vitamin C- 17% of the RDA.
   • Vitamin E- 10% of the RDA
   • Vitamin B5- 14% of the RDA
   • Vitamin B6- 13% of the RDA
   • Potassium- 14% of the RDA
   • Folate- 20% of the RDA

Apart from them, avocados are also packed with little amounts of manganese, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, copper, zinc, vitamin A, B1, B2 as well as B3.

1. Avocados are potassium rich, even more than bananas
   We have always heard that bananas are the best and richest source of potassium, but avocados contain more potassium than bananas. 100 gram serving of banana contains 10% of the RDA, whereas avocados contain 14% of the RDA. Potassium helps in monitoring blood pressure. Thus, they are really very important for health.

2. Avocados help in lowering the levels of bad cholesterol
   Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats that are very healthy for heart. Monounsaturated fats help in boosting the levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and cutting down the levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol).

3. Avocados protect eyes
   Avocados contain powerful antioxidants that help in protecting the eyes. They contain nutrients like Zeaxanthin and Lutein. These two nutrients are great for eyes. If studies are to be believed, the risk of macular degeneration as well as cataracts drops down drastically if one take generous amount of these nutrients.

4. Avocados have anti- aging properties and other dermatological benefits
   We often spend big bucks on anti- aging creams, therapies and treatments; instead we should include avocados in our diet. Avocados have magical anti- aging properties. As they are rich in vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and other healthy nutrients, they arrest the aging process and keeps skin youthful. Avocados also help in combating many dermatological benefits. They help to cut down the skin damage. They induce DNA repair. They also help to reverse the damage caused to skin by the harmful UV rays. Thus, you need not to spend a lot on expensive creams, lotions or treatments. Eat a lot of avocados and get a smooth, shiny, flawless and youthful skin.

5. Avocados reduce the susceptibility of several kinds of cancers
   Among many benefits of avocados, one is that it cuts down the risk of many different kinds of cancers. According to recent studies, carotenoids which are rich in anti- oxidants have anti- cancerous actions. They help in preventing gastric, oral, prostate as well as breast cancer. When these carotenoids are paired with avocados that are rich in healthy fats, they prove magical to cut down cancer.

6. Avocados are beneficial in osteoarthritis
   Avocados help in soothing the pain as well as damage caused by arthritis. It is an effective treatment against osteoarthritis as it helps to resolve the symptoms. If you take avocados religiously, you may not need anti- inflammatory drugs.

7. Avocados help in treating psoriasis
   If you are tired of taking medications and lotions for psoriasis, but haven't found relief, you must try avocado. Eating avocados help at large. For topical application, a cream that contains vit B12 as well as avocado oil helps in treating psoriasis. The best thing about it is that this cream is sans any adverse effect. Thus, avocado is a very-pocket way to treat psoriasis.

Now you know that avocados are loaded with benefits, you must include avocados in your diet and wait for the magic to happen.