When we talk about healthy fats, everybody’s minds go to olive oil or coconut oil. However, there is another oil, equally rich in nutrients and benefits, that is often overlooked – avocado oil.
Extracted from the flesh of the avocado fruit, this oil has been utilized in different parts of the world for centuries for cooking, hair care, and skin care. In recent times, this oil has gained popularity in the western world due to its numerous health benefits.
1. Avocado Oil is Rich in Nutrients
Avocado oil boasts a diverse range of nutrients that are good for your health. It is rich in beneficial fatty acids Omega-3, Omega-9, and Vitamin E.
Avocado oil is also a great source of monounsaturated fats that help to protect your heart by reducing bad cholesterol levels in your blood. It is also a good source of minerals like potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and copper.
2. Avocado Oil Can Help to Lower Blood Pressure
Avocado oil contains a high amount of potassium, which plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure.
According to studies, a 100-gram serving of avocado oil contains about 485 milligrams of potassium, which is more than bananas, a well-known source of this mineral.
3. Avocado Oil Can Help to Boost Heart Health
As mentioned earlier, avocado oil contains monounsaturated fats that protect your heart by reducing your levels of harmful cholesterol in your blood and increasing levels of good cholesterol.
Additionally, avocado oil contains plant sterols called beta-sitosterol, which also help to reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood.
4. Avocado Oil Can Help to Improve Skin Health
Avocado oil is excellent for skin care due to its high Vitamin E content. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects skin cells from damage caused by environmental toxins such as UV rays and pollutants.
Additionally, the fatty acids in avocado oil can hydrate the skin, help to reduce inflammation, and may even aid in wound healing.
5. Avocado Oil Can Help to Reduce Inflammation
Avocado oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce inflammation, a process that may lead to chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.
A study conducted in rats found that avocado oil significantly reduced inflammation and improved symptoms in those with osteoarthritis.
6. Avocado Oil Can Help to Improve Digestive Health
Avocado oil is easily absorbed by your digestive system and has anti-inflammatory properties that may help to prevent inflammation in your digestive tract.
This oil also contains a type of carbohydrate called oligosaccharides that act as prebiotics – substances that feed the healthy bacteria in your gut.
7. Avocado Oil Can Help to Aid Weight Loss
Avocado oil contains healthy fats and calories that can help to keep you full for longer, reduce your appetite, and aid weight loss. Hence, substituting unhealthy fats with avocado oil may help you to maintain a healthy weight.
8. Avocado Oil Can Help to Promote Hair Growth
The fatty acids in avocado oil can penetrate your hair shaft to moisturize and strengthen your hair strands, thereby reducing hair breakage.
Additionally, the Vitamin E in avocado oil can promote hair growth by improving blood circulation to the scalp and preventing oxidative stress, which can lead to hair loss.
9. Avocado Oil Can Help to Reduce Bad Breath
Avocado oil contains chlorophyll, which has antibacterial properties that can help to reduce bad breath caused by bacteria in your mouth.
10. Avocado Oil is Versatile and Easy to Use
Avocado oil is a versatile oil that can be used in various ways such as cooking, salad dressings, and baking. It has a high smoke point of 520 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it suitable for high-heat cooking methods such as frying.
Its neutral taste also makes it an ideal base for salad dressings.
Conclusion
Avocado oil is an excellent oil that deserves a spot in your pantry due to its numerous health benefits.
From improving heart health, lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation, promoting hair growth, and improving skin health, avocado oil is a versatile oil that can help you maintain overall wellness. So, why not give it a try?.