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AVOCADOS
Benefits:
- A rich source of Vitamin E
- Good source of potassium
- High in monounsaturated fats
Drawback:
The flesh of a ripe avocado is as good for you as it tastes. It is a rich source of vitamin E, and a good source of potassium. It has useful amounts of Vitamin B6,
and also supplies vitamin C, riboflavin and manganese. Vitamins C and E are both antioxidants and can therefore help to prevent the free radical damage that might lead to certain cancers. Potassium helps to control blood pressure as well as maintain a regular heartbeat and a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B6 is important for the normal functioning of the nervous system. Low levels of B6 may also be associated with morning sickness.
Like olive oil, avocados have a high content of monounsaturated fatty acids, which are thought to lower blood cholesterol levels. Although avocados may contain up to 1670 kilojoules per fruit, eating one or two per week while in season provide the body with a range of nutritional benefits.
Fun Facts!
Did you know?
- The avocado has a very high protein content of about 1.6g per 100g. However, they derive more than 80 percent of their kilojoules from fat.
- Although the Spanish noted the existence of the avocado as early as 1519, the fruit was dismissed as tasteless until it began to become popular in 20th-century America.
- Avocados can be round or pear-shaped, no bigger than a hen’s egg or weighing a kilogram. They can also come in a range of colours, from dark green and crimson to yellow or almost black.
- Unlike most fruits, avocados start to ripen only when they have been cut from the tree. If you buy an unripe fruit, store it at room temperature for a few days.
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