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Avocado: A Fruit as Nutrient-Rich as it is Creamy

Posted On: August 6, 2019

Find out what health benefits are offered by our nutritious, all-natural Hass avocados.

Finding ways to incorporate avocados in our daily meals is easy thanks to the fruit’s famous thick and creamy texture that can act as the main attraction or play the supporting role. Sandwich spreads, salad dressings, dips, fries and pies—just thinking of our favorite ways to eat the (other) pear-shaped produce has sparked our appetite. Versatile and delicious as it is however, it’s time the avocado received recognition not only as a tasty piece of fruit but also as a powerhouse of nutrients.

 

 

1. Potassium

Did you know that avocados are a greater source of potassium than bananas? One cup of sliced avocado can cover 20% of the minimum daily recommended intake of the essential mineral for an adult (3,500 mg). Potassium is an essential mineral that acts as an electrolyte, meaning it helps your body manage various processes. As the third most abundant mineral in the body, potassium has the power to regulate fluid balance, lower blood pressure levels, reduce risks of muscle and heart contractions.

Compared to the long yellow tree fruit that’s so often linked to potassium, avocados are also lower in sugar and carbs, making it an even more attractive food for health nuts.

 

 

2. Healthy Fats

Unlike other fruits, avocados are incredibly low in sugar yet high in fat, with over two-thirds of the calories coming from fat. Luckily, nature found a way to make these fats healthy. Monounsaturated fatty acids (found in avocados) can help protect against heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Studies have even found that the oleic acid (the monounsaturated fat also found in olive oil) can reduce inflammation.

The other benefit of eating foods high in fat? They make you feel fuller faster! Another reason to get that extra guacamole.

 

 

3. Folate

Also known as B9, folate is vital in the generation genetic material such as DNA, tissue growth and more. For this reason, it’s an especially important addition to the diet for pregnant women, though the average adult is advised to consume 400 mcg of the B-vitamin a day. Half of a medium avocado can provide just over 80 mcg of folate (in other words, 21% of the recommended daily intake).