• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Diabetic Kitchen

Diabetic Kitchen

  • Home
  • Products
    • Cinnamon Pecan Granola Cereal
    • Almond Butter Granola Cereal
    • Hazelnut & Cocoa Spread
    • Gourmet Drinking Chocolate
    • Cheesy Bread Mix
    • Gourmet Chocolate Brownie Mix
    • Pancake & Waffle Mix
    • Cinnamon Donut Mix
    • Gourmet Banana Muffin Mix
    • Sugar4Diabetics
    • Gourmet Chocolate Cake & Cupcake Mix
    • Nut Butter Cookie Mix
  • Resources
  • Health
  • Recipes
  • Food Tips
  • Lifestyle
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • News From The Kitchen
  • Contact Us
  • Shop

The Amazing Avocado-What Makes It Such a Superfood?

Avocados- is it the mild, nutty taste, the creamy texture, or that singular green color that makes us love them so? All three are great reasons, but there are many, many more reasons to love the simple, yet wonderful avocado.

Dietician and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Lori Zanini, emphasizes that avocados are one of the only fruits that contain monounsaturated fats; “Including healthy fats in our meals during our day is important in order to keep us full and satisfied after meals, since fats take longer to digest than carbohydrates or proteins.”

These monounsaturated fats have anti-inflammatory properties, as well. These fats, along with the Vitamin E in avocados, lower “bad” cholesterol and strengthen blood vessels and capillaries. All of these benefits combine to lower risk for heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases.

Vitamin E also strengthens the immune system, helping to keep you healthy. In individuals with diabetes, Vitamin E helps to protect against neuropathy (nerve damage caused by high blood sugar.) Vitamin E is essential for healthy hair and nails, as well.

Research has also shown that eating avocados can have a positive impact on insulin levels. Monounsaturated fats help boost insulin function, and aid in keeping blood sugar lower and more stable.

An avocado is a great source of fiber, which helps to regulate blood sugar, as well. Fiber also promotes a healthy gut and colon, helps to control appetite, and can be helpful in achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight.

Avocados are full of several more nutrients that our bodies need in order to function properly.

Good ole’ Vitamin C. Everyone is familiar with its immune system benefits, but it contributes to many other body operations, as well. Essential for cell growth and repair, it’s also an antioxidant, which protects the body from damage by free radicals.

Free radicals contribute to the development of many diseases, from heart disease to cancer. Avocados are also a good source of antioxidant carotenoids like beta-carotene, which also prevent free radical damage.

Nerve function, immune protection and blood cell health are all enhanced by the Vitamin B 6 in avocados. B 6 is also responsible for metabolizing fats and proteins into energy. Ever hear of someone getting a Vitamin B shot for energy? These shots usually contain a mixture of Vitamins B 6 and B12.

Folate promotes healthy cell and tissue development. Folate is responsible for developing the brain and spine of a fetus (that’s why it is recommended for pregnant women to take a pre-natal vitamin that includes plenty of Folate.)

Crucial to muscle and nerve functions, Magnesium also supports immune health, reinforces bone strength, and increases energy. For those who suffer from migraines, increasing Magnesium intake has been shown to help symptoms.

Potassium facilitates the development and function of nerves and muscles, and keeps the heart beating in normal rhythm, thereby regulating blood pressure. It also helps to maintain the fluid balance in the body, keeping organs hydrated.

Lutein, an antioxidant found in avocados, is essential for eye health. Lutein also protects against skin inflammation, and improves skin’s elasticity. Lutein does not occur naturally in the body, so it must be ingested via food or supplements.

For even more reasons to love the avocado, check out this article from Huffington Post 17 Reasons Avocados Are the Best Food in the Entire World.

As with most things in life, moderation is best. Because of their glorious fat content, avocados are high in calories. Nutritionist Zanini recommends enjoying your avocado in 1-ounce servings, “which is about 2 to 3 slices or about 1/4 of a small avocado.”

The avocado truly is a super-food! In guacamole, served with eggs, on a sandwich, or on a spoon, avocado is a delicious, nutritious food you can feel great about eating. Check out these recipes from Food Network and get cooking!

 

Sources:

http://www.self.com/story/health-benefits-of-avocado

healthiestfoods.co.uk/health-benefits-of-avocado

http://www.foodnetwork.com/topics/avocado.html

Share

Filed Under: Food Tips, Health Tagged With: Avocado, superfood

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. Eat Your Way To Happiness With These 10 Foods says:
    April 12, 2017 at 12:39 PM

    […] Avocados – Because avocados contain choline, when you eat them, your body’s levels of serotonin are increased. Serotonin impacts the entire body, helping with sleeping, eating, and digestion. It is considered a natural “mood stabilizer” and helps reduce depression, and regulate anxiety. Avocados are not just a super food, but a super-happy food! […]

    Reply
  2. Research Proves Healthy Fats Cut Heart Disease Risk says:
    July 3, 2017 at 1:41 PM

    […] Avocados are an excellent source of heart-healthy fats and are also high in fiber. Avocados have been shown to reduce risk of hypertension, stroke, obesity, and other diseases. Consuming foods with high fiber content has also been shown to lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, along with lowering and stabilizing blood sugar levels. […]

    Reply
  3. Heal Your Gut (And Your Body) With These Tips! says:
    September 6, 2017 at 12:45 PM

    […] and lentils, avocado, air-popped popcorn, are a few more high-fiber foods. They also double as blood-sugar […]

    Reply
  4. Which Fats Are Good & Which Should Be Avoided says:
    March 3, 2019 at 12:41 PM

    […] Avocado has been in the spotlight lately as a trendy brunch food. Talk about the epitome of delicious and nutritious! Avocados are an excellent source of healthy fats and are also high in fiber. Research has proved time and again the health benefits of eating avocados. Those include reduced risk of hypertension, stroke, diabetes complications and obesity just to name a few. […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Join Our Community on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

More to See

Three different sugar free toppings for donuts and muffins.

Pumpkin Spice Icing THREE Ways

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Low Carb Pumpkin Spice Latte

Secondary Sidebar

Recent Comments

  • Ethel Rucker on If You’re Looking To Prevent Weight Gain – Go Nuts!
  • Duane Klindworth on About Us
  • Best Low Carb Breakfast Cereal | Read the Latest World News - News World on Have A Slice — Or Two
  • Fresh Start Omaha | Breaking News, Latest News, Headlines & Videos on Ribeye with Mayonnaise Marinade
  • URL on Yes, Diabetics Can Enjoy Eating Out!

Archives

Footer

Resources

Research Finds Connection Between Diabetes & Eating Disorders

Type II Diabetes- A Growing Crisis For Children & Teens

Do You Know The Difference Between Carbs & Sugars?

Headache Pain? Fight Back With These Tips

Can Your Smartphone Be The Key To Better Blood Sugar?

Health

Top 10 Reasons to Eat Fat

50% Of American Adults Have Heart Disease – Improve Your Heart Health Now!

Probiotics, Prebiotics… What’s the Difference?

Don’t Let Fake Sugar Fool You – it’s Dangerous, Too!

Discover the Power of Fiber – A Diabetic’s Ultimate BFF!

Food Tips

Pumpkin Spice Icing THREE Ways

If You’re Looking To Prevent Weight Gain – Go Nuts!

These Colorful Foods Improve Immunity

Simple Snacks To Stabilize Blood Sugar

Which Fats Are Good & Which Should Be Avoided

USABILITY ISSUES? If you are experiencing any interface or usability issues of any kind, please call 877-438-1436 and a live human will assist you with your order.

© Copyright 2014-2023 Diabetic Kitchen. All Rights Reserved. | Our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Medical Disclaimer | Return Policy | Contact Us

Where Would You Like To Purchase Your Brownie Mix From?

 

Amazon.com

 

Diabetic Kitchen Store

Where Would You Like To Purchase Your Bars From?

 

Amazon.com

 

Diabetic Kitchen Store