Why You Should Include Avocados In Your Diet

One of the powerhouses among fruits, avocados are home to a variety of nutrients offering a variety of health benefits. Avocados aren’t commonly available across the Idukki district, as only a few supermarkets procure high quality avocados. A good majority of Keralites are unaware of the many benefits of including avocados in one’s diet. Three quarters of the fruit’s calories come from monounsaturated fat, which is really helpful in reducing LDL cholesterol. This monounsaturated fat is super healthy for the heart.

But that’s not all that avocados offer.

Avocado is a great source of Vitamin E that plays a role in preventing cholesterol oxidation. Additionally, avocados also have omega fats which along with Vitamin E can give a healthy, glowing skin while also preventing photoaging due to sun exposure. Apart from Vitamin E, avocados also contain other vitamins like Vitamin B6, Vitamin b9, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and various phytochemicals which can help your body build strong resistance against cancer.

We are still not done yet.

Avocados do not have a lot of sugar content unlike many beloved fruits but do have a lot of fiber content that can help maintain and even control sugar levels. Meanwhile, the high potassium content in avocados contributes to keeping blood pressure levels in check. Studies also claim that the folate content in avocados can contribute to preventing birth defects in newborn babies to a certain extent.

Don’t be surprised if someone tells you that avocados are the healthiest among all fruits. But you should be surprised why avocados aren’t part of the typical Keralite diet. We eat fruits like apples, oranges and grapes more, and tend to avoid the even more beneficial fruits like avocados, dragon fruit etc. This is partly due to the limited availability. But times are changing. You can find avocados in Fruit section in many supermarkets in Kerala now.

To emphasize our points further, here is a nutrition breakdown of a 200 gram avocado.

Exceptionally nutritious, wouldn't you say?

Here’s a noteworthy use case of avocados. They are consumed by people suffering from inflammations because avocados have bioactive compounds in it including carotenoids and phenolic compounds that, when combined, have antioxidant, neuroprotective and cardioprotective properties. Doctors also recommend including avocados in the diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Despite being a fruit, avocados can also be used as a great ingredient in soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, burritos, guacamole and more.

We recommend you buy avocados next time you are out shopping. And if it’s fresh fruits and vegetables you are after, visit Urban Co-Operative Hypermart at Nedumkandam for great value deals.

• Calories: 322
• Fat: 30 grams
• Protein: 4 grams
• Carbs: 17 grams
• Fiber: 14 grams
• Vitamin C: 22% of the daily value (DV)
• Vitamin E: 28% of the DV
• Vitamin K: 35% of the DV
• Riboflavin (B2): 20% of the DV
• Niacin (B3): 22% of the DV
• Pantothenic acid (B5): 56% of the DV
• Pyridoxine (B6): 30% of the DV
• Folate: 41% of the DV
• Magnesium: 14% of the DV
• Potassium: 21% of the DV
• Copper: 42% of the DV
• Manganese: 12% of the DV