The latest research suggests that eating avocados can help you live longer by improving heart health.
According to the World Health Organization, Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year.
But it does not have to be that way.
As much as 80% of heart disease and stroke can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle. This includes regular exercise, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and, of course, a healthy and balanced diet. This is where the longevity benefits of avocados come in.
Avocados may very well be the ultimate “heart-healthy” food. This is because avocados contain key nutrients that help improve heart health. These include monounsaturated fats, potassium, and fiber.
Avocados are also naturally cholesterol- and sodium-free.
You may have all heard of “an apple a day,” but, according to a study published last year in the Journal of Nutrition, an avocado a day can help to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol.
What’s more, avocados have also been found to significantly increase HDL cholesterol, which is a good kind of cholesterol benefiting cardiovascular health.
Avocados are also are incredibly rich in oleic acid, which is a monounsaturated fatty acid. According to research, oleic acid can help to improve heart health by lowering inflammation.
Avocados and Gut Health
Antiaging experts have for several years now been espousing the link between long life and maintain a healthy balance of gut microflora. There is also evidence that the humble avocado can play a role in a healthy gut. According to a study published in Circulation Research that followed 163 overweight and obese subjects divided into two groups, the group that included avocado in one of their three daily meals experienced a healthier diversity of gut microbes.
The bottom line: It is clear that the variety of nutrients found in avocados offers a nutritional win that earns this amazing fruit a place on a heart-healthy, life-extending menu.