“Studies have shown that avocados can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases”.
It is more important than ever to remember that obesity remains a global concern, with the World Obesity Federation projecting that one in every five women and one in every seven men will be obese by 2030.
Although it is commonly acknowledged that numerous variables, such as genetic problems and a lack of physical exercise, can increase the chance of becoming obese, experts identify an unhealthy diet as one of the primary causes of obesity. One strategy to create healthier food choices is to eat more fruits and vegetables and less sugary and saturated fattening meals, resulting in a healthy diet rich in unsaturated fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Obesity is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a complex condition with serious health effects. It has been associated with chronic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Fighting obesity remains a public health concern, according to the WHO, as the number of obese or overweight persons worldwide continues to climb.
Avocados are abundant in vital minerals, bioactive compounds, and vitamins C, E, K, and B-group, all of which boost human health and help to prevent disorders like metabolic syndrome (a combination of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity).
Avocados supply more energy per kilogram than many other fruits and vegetables and contain high amounts of vitamins B, B2, B3 and B5, which help the body to break down and release energy from food. They are also low in sugar, have a low glycemic index (GI) and contain more potassium gram for gram than bananas!
A standard serving of avocado may be just around 80 calories, but it contains a high amount of unsaturated fats widely considered beneficial to human health. One small portion of this unique fruit contains a whopping 5g of monounsaturated fats and 1g of polyunsaturated fat. These fatty acids can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, which in return helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
In a 2022 study conducted by the Journal of the American Heart Association, it was found that replacing a half serving of foods high in saturated fats (such as margarine, butter and cheese) with the equivalent amount of avocado was associated with a 16%-22% lower risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, a series of studies, supported by the Avocado Nutrition Center, not only found that eating avocados can contribute to weight management and effectively increase the feeling of satiety after mealtime but that it was also linked to a lower risk of becoming overweight or obese.
The World Avocado Organization (WAO) is a non-profit organisation founded in 2016 whose members are avocado growers, exporters and importers from around the world – including the top four grower supplier countries to the EU and UK. The World Avocado Organization promotes the consumption of avocados based on their nutritional value and recognised health benefits. It also shares information and insights on avocado production, supply chains and sustainability with the public.
Source Name: World Avocado Organization | *Obesity is usually defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above. BMI between 25 and 30 is classified as ‘overweight’.
