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Hidden benefits of avocado that may surprise you
Avocados are high in healthy fats, unlike other fruits, which are generally rich in carbohydrates but low in healthy fats.
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According to diet nutritionist Mia Syn, avocado fats are beneficial for the skin and hair and help absorb vitamins. (Shutterstock/Nataliya Arzamasova)
Avocado is a rather unique fruit, one might say.
It is high in healthy fats, unlike other fruits, which are generally rich in carbohydrates but low in healthy fats. This makes avocado a popular fruit for health-conscious individuals.
Kompas.com has compiled a list of four benefits of consuming avocados:
Vitamin absorption
According to diet nutritionist Mia Syn, beyond benefiting the skin and hair, avocado fats help absorb vitamins. “Healthy fats in avocados can help absorb vitamins A, D, K and E – all of which are fat-soluble,” she said.
Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed with fats and can be stored in the body’s fatty tissue.
“Vitamin K is important for preventing blood from clotting, while vitamin E helps protect cells, tissues and organs from radical damage," she added.
Read also: Meet the seedless avocado, and you can eat the skin too
Maintains mental health
As reported by The New York Times, magnesium in the fruit can help avoid stress, allowing us to sleep well at night.
"Magnesium deficiency has been linked to stress, high levels of anxiety and difficulty sleeping," said Dr. Raj Dasgupta, a professor of pulmonary and sleep medicine at the University of Southern California.
Prevents cataracts
Based on a study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, experts found that the carotenoids in avocados can effectively prevent vision problems, especially cataracts, for the elderly.
Prevents constipation
Professors from the University of Maryland Medical Center found that the fiber in avocados effectively supports digestion, thus preventing constipation.
"Avocados contain around 40 percent of the recommended daily fiber intake for the body's needs," the experts said. (saz/kes)
