They used to say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but if you really want to keep healthy, a daily avocado should be your fruit of choice. Avocados are not only delicious, they are also packed full of health benefits. Here are just 10 reasons why you should include more avocados in your diet.

Avocados can:

Lower your cholesterol

Avocados are packed with unsaturated fats, which means they are great for lowering your cholesterol. Not only that, but they can actually improve the health of your heart and are also good for patients with diabetes as they lower the blood’s triglycerides.

Regulate blood pressure

Avocados have 30% more potassium than a banana, which is essential to control your blood pressure as well as protecting against diseases of the circulatory system.

Protect against cancer

All fruits and vegetables help the fight against cancer, but avocados are a real ‘superfood’. They have compounds that will actually find and destroy cancerous and pre-cancerous oral cancer cells, as well as being a vital tool in the prevention of other cancers such as breast and prostate cancer.

Protect your eyesight

Avocados are incredibly rich in carotenoid lutein. This is an essential nutrient when it comes to protecting the health of your eyes, as it protects against oxidative stress, minimizes macular degeneration, and can even prevent the formation of cataracts.

Benefit pregnant women

Avocados are high in vitamin B6, which can help prevent the symptoms of morning sickness. They are also high in folates, which are essential for the development of healthy brain tissues in the unborn child.

Prevent heart disease

The folates in avocados are also essential when it comes to lowering the risk of heart disease. Just one cup of avocado contains 23% of your RDA of folates, so they are a great way to boost the health of your heart. Folates are also an essential nutrient to help reduce the risk of having a stroke.

Deliver anti-aging properties

Avocados are packed with vitamin E and are absolutely full of anti-oxidants. This helps to combat the aging effects of free radicals both inside and out. Avocados are also full of rich oils, which have an incredibly nourishing effect on the skin, hair, and nails. They also protect against sunburn, skin allergies, and redness of the skin, helping you to look more youthful for longer.

Prevent bad breath

Avocados don’t just fight oral cancer. They can also be an effective preventative against bad breath. The real cause of bad breath is intestinal blockages. Avocados clean out the digestive tract, which in turn reduces the causes of bad breath.

Improve the absorption of nutrients.

Research has shown that avocado aids the absorption of certain other nutrients. One study showed that five times the amount of carotenoids were absorbed when people ate a salad containing avocados compared to those that had an avocado-free meal.

Aid weight gain

This might not be at the top of everyone’s list. However, avocados are one of the best fruits to eat if you need to build up your weight. They have a higher calorific content than any other fruit, as well as containing more than 25 different nutrients. This makes them the best choice for people recovering from an illness.

This article was written by Zoe on behalf of Nuffield Health Careers, helping to promote careers in the health sector. Visit their website today to discover nursing jobs in Bournemouth, Cardiff, and any other location in the UK have to offer.