Photo: Getty Images If avocado toast is part of your breakfast rotation—or if you gladly pay extra for guac—there’s a good chance you’ve eaten your fair share of avocados. The fruit (yes, fruit) is incredibly popular. But there’s more to avocados than their delightfully creamy texture and mild flavor. They also have an impressive nutritional profile. Learn about the health benefits of avocado, according to a dietician, along with expert-approved ways to eat more avocados at home. Candace Pumper, MS, RD, CSOWM, LD, registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Vanessa Ali, M.A.T , chef and assistant professor at the College of Food Innovation & Technology at Johnson & Wales University
What’s the Difference Between the Avocado Varieties You See at the Grocery Store? Avocados 101
Avocado is a fruit native to Mexico and Central America. It’s botanically considered a berry, though it’s often eaten as a vegetable. Also known as alligator pears, avocados grow on trees and are part of the laurel family, which includes cinnamon and bay leaves. Nutrition and Benefits
Reduces Disease Risk
Avocado is rich in good fats known as monounsaturated fatty acids, says Candance Pumper, MS, RD, CSOWM, LD, a registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. These fats—which are responsible for the creamy texture of avocado—can fight both inflammation and oxidative stress, two key factors involved in the development of chronic disease.1 Helps Digestion
"Avocado is also a good source of dietary fiber," shares Pumper. This fiber acts as a prebiotic or a substance that supports "digestive health by nourishing beneficial gut bacteria and promoting their growth," says Pumper. This fiber also helps reduce inflammation and improve the diversity of gut bacteria, all of which can support regular bowel movements, says Pumper.2 Benefits Brain Health
If you’d like to eat for brain health , reach for avocado. Its healthy fats can lend a hand by reducing inflammation (see above) and increasing blood flow to the brain, says Pumper. Avocado is also packed with vitamin E, an antioxidant that can help slow the […]
The Health Benefits of Avocados—and the Best Ways to Enjoy Them
