Table of Contents
Introduction
The avocado is an amazingly healthy and versatile fruit that has become an extremely popular food in recent years. This green-skinned fruit with creamy yellowish-green flesh has earned the nickname “alligator pear.” And for good reason – an avocado’s shape and skin resembles an alligator’s rough bumpy back.
Beyond its odd exterior and appearance, the tasty avocado has many health benefits and an abundance of uses in recipes ranging from salads to desserts. Read on to learn 10 fascinating facts about avocados, along with creative ways you can use this nutritious superfruit.
Here Are 10 Fascinating Avocado Facts:
Avocados Contain More Potassium Than Bananas
Many people know that bananas are a good source of potassium, an important mineral and electrolyte. But fewer people realise that avocados actually contain 14% more potassium per ounce than bananas! Potassium helps regulate fluid balance and nerve signalling in your body.
They Have More Fiber Than Most Other Fruits
A whole raw avocado contains about 10 grams of fibre, making it an excellent source of this digestion-aiding nutrient. Ounce for ounce, avocados have more fibre than other fibre-rich fruits like blackberries and raspberries. Fiber is important for digestive, heart, and skin health.
Avocados Can Lower Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels
Studies have found that regularly eating avocados can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride blood fat levels. Researchers think avocados’ content of healthy monounsaturated fats and other nutrients likely accounts for these heart-healthy effects.
They Help Absorb Nutrients from Plant Foods
Avocados are one of the best sources of fat you can eat. While most fat has a bad reputation for clogging arteries, the type of fat in avocados is mainly monounsaturated and heart-healthy. Another benefit is this fat helps your body absorb important antioxidants like lycopene and beta-carotene from veggies.
Avocados Have Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
In addition to healthy fats, avocados contain many beneficial plant nutrients and antioxidants. Carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin are mainly found concentrated in the dark green flesh near an avocado’s skin. These compounds have anti-inflammatory effects and can help prevent eye and skin diseases.
They Can Help You Lose Weight
Despite being high in fat and calories, eating avocados may help with weight loss! In one study, participants who ate half an avocado with lunch experienced a 40% dip in the desire to eat for hours afterwards, compared to people who didn’t eat the rich, satisfying fruit.
Avocados Contain Many Essential Nutrients
These green fruits are extremely nutrient-dense. A 3-ounce (1/2 a medium avocado) serving packs significant amounts of folate, vitamin K, and vitamin C. Avocados also have niacin, riboflavin, magnesium, copper, zinc, phosphorous, manganese, and many other nutrients. They contain more nutrients per calorie than most other fruits.
They Likely Originated in Mexico
Botanists believe avocados originated in south-central Mexico, somewhere in the region between the states of Puebla and Oaxaca, where primitive avocados grew before they were domesticated about 10,000 years ago. Mexico remains the world’s number one producer of avocados today.
There’s a Massive Avocado Crime Black Market
Due to the popularity and high price of avocados, these “green gold” fruits are targets for theft by organised crime groups in countries like Mexico. Millions of dollars worth of avocados get stolen every year, often through hijacking trucks at gunpoint that are transporting avocados to be exported.
Florida’s Avocado Capital Has a Giant Avocado
The city of Miami is often called the avocado capital of America thanks to Florida’s avocado orchards. In Miami Beach, there is a giant 70-foot-long, 35-foot-high concrete avocado sculpture that tourists love to take pictures in front of. This larger-than-life monument shows how obsessed people are with avocados!
Now that you know some interesting facts about avocados, here are 5 delicious ways you can eat and use this amazing superfruit…
Make Avocado Toast
Smash ripe avocado onto toasted whole grain bread then sprinkle with seasonings like chilli flakes and black pepper. Top with an egg for a satisfying breakfast or snack.
Blend into Smoothies
Add avocado cubes or scoops of avocado to your favourite fruit smoothies. It makes them thick, creamy and more filling while adding fibre and nutrients.
Prepare Guacamole
No need for a recipe – simply mash avocados, onions, tomato, garlic, lime juice and cilantro together. Scoop up with veggie sticks or tortilla chips.
Swap Into Salads and Sandwiches
In place of mayo or cheese, try slices or diced avocado in your sandwiches for creaminess. Mix cubes into leafy green or grain-based salads for added nutrition.
Make Avocado Desserts
From avocado chocolate mousse to avocado-lime pie and avocado “ice cream”, this fruit’s rich texture makes a nice base for all kinds of sweet treats.
Conclusion
As these interesting avocado facts show, there is much more to this trendy fruit than you might expect. With dozens of ways to enjoy their flavour and reap their health perks, be sure to eat more avocados! They make great additions to all kinds of meals and snacks while providing your body with over 20 essential vitamins and minerals.
FAQs
How much potassium does an avocado contain compared to a banana?
An avocado contains 14% more potassium per ounce than a banana.
What nutrients are avocados high in?
Avocados are high in fibre, vitamin K, vitamin C, folate and monounsaturated fats, as well as many other vitamins and minerals like potassium, magnesium and copper.
What type of fat is found primarily in avocados?
The main type of fat in avocados is monounsaturated fat, which is considered a healthy fat that can lower LDL cholesterol levels when eaten in moderation.
What country did avocados originally come from?
Avocados are believed to have originated in south-central Mexico, in the region between the states of Puebla and Oaxaca.
Name one creative way you can eat or cook with avocados.
Some creative ways to eat avocados include making chocolate avocado mousse for dessert, using them as a substitute for mayo in sandwiches, adding them to smoothies to make them creamy, or topping toast with mashed avocado, chili flakes and an egg.
