Avocado- A superfood?
Fruit is high in vitamins, minerals, fibre, and phytonutrients, which are plant chemicals. As a result, it's considered one of the healthiest meals available.
Because of their tremendous health advantages, certain fruits are even referred to as "superfoods." Superfoods are generally high in health-promoting substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, despite the fact that there is no specific definition of what makes a superfood.
Avocado a superfood
Avocados have become a culinary staple in many homes throughout the world because they are nutritious, flexible, and tasty.
Avocados (Persea Americana) are classified as berries, despite the fact that some people refer to them as fruits and others as vegetables. They belong to the Lauraceae family of plants, which also contain the cinnamon tree.
Avocados are native to Mexico and Central America, but they are grown worldwide, including in North America.
Avocado is a nutrient-rich fruit that is high in fibre and has folate, potassium, vitamin E, and magnesium. They are also rich in monounsaturated fats which is why it is so popular among people.
Benefits of Avocado
- Nutritious: ****
They are extremely nutritious as visible in the below chart, they have healthy fats, fibre and a great lot of minerals and vitamins.
Avocados are rich in nutrients that are missing from people’s diets. Potassium is one the minerals that is raised as a concern in the American population as they do not consume enough of it.
In fact, a study of 4,730 people in the United States revealed that just 3% of them had potassium intakes higher than the recommended amount of 4,700 mg per day.
Potassium is required for a number of vital biological activities, including blood pressure control and nervous system function. Getting the correct amount of potassium every day can help prevent hypertension and stroke.
- Good for the gut:
Avocados are abundant in fibre, with each avocado containing roughly 14 gms. This is roughly half of the current daily value (DV) for this key vitamin.
Getting adequate fibre in your diet is important for digestive system health because it promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms.
Also, remember that all fibre-rich meals, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, are beneficial to gut health. Eating a range of fibre-rich foods, not only avocados, is the most significant aspect of maintaining digestive health.
- An all-purpose appetizing ingredient:
Avocados are high in nutrients and can be utilised in a variety of recipes, both sweet and savoury.
As a result, they're an excellent element to have on hand. Avocados may be used in a number of different ways, so don't be hesitant to try new things.
- Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances:
Avocados are high in bioactive substances such as carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin E, and phenolic compounds, in addition to vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and fibre. These compounds have been found to have antioxidative, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective properties.
Carotenoids contained in avocados, such as lutein, alpha-Carotene, and beta-Carotene, for example, have been proven to have high antioxidant properties, guarding against oxidative damage, which has been linked to the advancement of many chronic diseases.
Conclusion:
There is no doubt that Avocados have got numerous benefits but after understanding each benefit we can conclude that a variety of other substances when added to the diet can provide similar benefits. For example, nuts as they are good sources of dietary fibre, protein, and unsaturated fatty acids and are easily available in the country and cheaper than Avocados.
The word superfood was established to influence eating trends and promote items for marketing objectives. Though several meals might be considered extraordinary, it's vital to remember that no one item is the key to optimal health or illness prevention.
References:
https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/2015-2020_Dietary_Guidelines.pdf
