FOLLOWING my colonic irrigation last week, I have been on a “keep the colon healthy” drive because I am prone to constipation. So, I am eating a lot more vegetables; edikaikong, efo, steamed vegetables, salads, the whole, whole works.
I have also rediscovered some vegetables and fruits like avocado, honeymelon and eggplant. I thought to share with you some of the benefits of the avocado.
The avocado is considered to be a perfect fruit. Yes, it is rich in calories. However, they are good calories, which are easily burnt off by your body. It is jam-packed with close to 20 different nutrients like potassium (30% more than a banana) and monounsaturated fats, folic acid, Vitamin E, B- vitamins, and fiber. It also has the highest content of protein than any fruit.
Some of the goods of the avocado include:
Healthy brain: Avocados combine omega-3 fatty acids with natural vitamin E, which has been clinically proven to prevent Alzheimer’s disease from progressing and even reversing it in its earliest stages.
Healthy heart: The rich monounsaturated fats in the avocado is great for your heart and it also helps to lower blood pressure.
Pregnancy: Folic acid is commonly recommended for pregnant women to help the fetus develop its brain and other vital organs.
Eye health: Avocados contain carotenoid leutein, an antioxidant that protects the eyes from oxidative stress damage leading to poor vision, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
Blood pressure: The combination of avocado’s high potassium, omega-3 and oleic acid contents are beneficial to reducing blood pressure.
Blood sugar: Avocado’s monounsaturated fats can prevent or reverse insulin resistance, a source of type 2 diabetes. The high soluble fiber of avocado helps prevent blood sugar spikes.
Anti-inflammatory: Inflammation is considered the basis of most non-contagious diseases. Avocados have an abundance of plant phytonutrient polyphenols and flavonoids, which are anti-inflammatory agents.
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.
Digestion: The 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.
Cancer: Avocados can help protect against prostate and breast cancers.
The avocado fruit also has other uses apart from eating it:
Hair and Face mask: It is a great exfoliant for the skin and moisturizing hair mask.
Baby Food: Babies from the ages of four months can have avocado as their introduction to solid meals.
So be creative with including the avocado into your meals: it can replace proteins in a meal, can be mashed up and eaten with biscuits, bread, potatoes, in salads, grilled and on its own with some salt. Whichever way you choose, choose an avocado.
Love your body... and it will love you right back!
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