Fresh avocados are a nutrient-dense fruit.
Why is nutrient density relevant to immune system nutrition?
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, nutrient-dense foods are those foods that provide vitamins, minerals, and other substances that may have positive health effects, with relatively few calories.
Facts about avocado nutrition and their potential benefits:
- The unsaturated fat in avocados can act as an immune system nutrient booster by helping increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E. Avocados naturally contain 6 grams of this good fat per serving, making them a unique fruit.
- One serving of avocado provides 6% of the Daily Value for vitamin E, which is a nutrient your body needs to keep the immune system strong against viruses and bacteria.
- Avocados are healthy and provide a good source of copper, an essential mineral that helps keep your immune system healthy.
- Magnesium supports a healthy immune system. One serving of avocado provides 4% of the Daily Value for magnesium.
- One serving of avocado provides 6% of the Daily Value for vitamin B6, which is responsible for helping the body to make antibodies, which are produced by your body’s immune system when it detects harmful substances like bacteria and viruses.
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Yay Avocados!!!! Some top health benefits of eating avocados:1. Avocados Stabilize Blood Sugar and Fight Metabolic Syndrome - they are low on the glycemic index; therefore, no rise in blood sugar and no fat-storing insulin release. It’s a perfect food if you are trying to burn fat and lose weight (see number 3 below). Avocados also help reduce blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.2. Cancer Prevention - The Journal of Nutrition and Cancer reported that avocados are a major player in cancer-fighting and study results show that its phytochemicals are as powerful as some chemotherapy! The avocados abundance of monounsaturated fat make it an effective anti-inflammatory agent.3. Weight Loss - While avocados get a bad rap because they are calorically dense and high in fats, they are actually a great weight-loss food. They keep blood sugar and fat-storing insulin in check (see number 1 above). This healthy fat also helps your body absorb more fat-burning vitamins and minerals.4. Avocados Contain Amazing Fats - Avocados contain oodles of oleic acid, which helps—among other things—lower bad cholesterol and fight cancers. Unlike saturated fats or highly processed vegetable oils, avocado oil regulates blood sugar, protects the heart as well as the brain. Avocados help to block the development of arteriosclerosis, the gunk inside your blood vessels that blocks blood flow.5. Healthy babies - before and after birth - One medium avocado has about a quarter of your required daily amount of folate, which is essential in making new cells by helping to produce healthy DNA and RNA. Folate helps lower the risk of birth defects in babies, as well as being important for heart health. The avocado is also a great baby food!6. Eye health - Avocados have lots of carotenoids and lutein, antioxidants that are both valuable for healthy eyes.7. Healthy skin and hair - Avocados have loads of phtytochemicals and antioxidants that fight damage from the sun and the environment by reducing inflammation and DNA damage. People who eat diets rich in antioxidants, as well as healthy fats, have healthier and less wrinkly skin. That's right... don't just smear it on your face as a beauty mask (yes!! you can do that); clean your skin from the inside too!Soooo…who wants an avocado??!!