Dr. Andrea Middleton - Is It Bad For You? Approved by Dr. Andrea Middleton

Are Avocados Bad For You?

Also Known As: alligator pear


Grade

A


Short answer

Avocados are good for you as they provide a range of nutrients that benefit your body in many ways.

Grade

A


Long answer

Avocados may have gotten a bit of a bad rap due to their high fat and calorie content, but rest assured they are not bad for you in the slightest. In fact, the opposite is true for these wonder fruit-- avocados are chock full of many vitamins and nutrients that are vital for good health.

Among a variety of other nutrients, avocados are rich in vitamin K, folate, vitamin C, and potassium. Vitamin K helps maintain good bone health and skeletal support. It strengthens your bones so there is a reduced risk of fractures and breaks, and helps prevent osteoporosis. Folate is especially important for pregnant women, as it vastly reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida in their unborn children. Avocados also provide a good amount of vitamin C, which strengthens your immune system and in doing so protects against illness, infections, and inflammatory diseases. Finally, potassium is necessary for heart function and for managing blood pressure. In addition to all of this, avocados also help your body absorb the nutrients from other foods. It is, therefore, a good idea to include avocado in things like salads or sandwiches so you can get the full benefit of everything you're eating.

As for the high fat and calorie claim, avocados are high in monounsaturated fat, a "good" fat that has protective qualities for your heart. Good fats also insulate your organs so there is less of a strain while they are working their magic. The high calorie count is offset by the fact that avocados will make you feel full for longer, so you won't go snacking until a while after that guacamole. This is due to their high fiber content, which actually aids in weight loss for this very reason. It is always important to keep in mind that your body needs both calories and good fat to function optimally and to keep your energy levels up, and there is no better way to get both than from a nice, ripe avocado.


Ingredients to be aware of

  • high calorie content


Benefits

  • strengthens immune system
  • manages blood sugar
  • promotes regularity
  • reduces the symptoms of arthritis
  • reduces blood pressure
  • maintains good bone health



Thank you for your feedback!

Written by Lindsay
Published on: 02-06-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016

Thank you for your feedback!

Written by Lindsay
Published on: 02-06-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016




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