Avocados have become a very popular food within the last decade. There is even fan gear for avocado lovers, including everything from decorative pillows to phone cases. People are loving avocados. Now there is even more reason to love avocados. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association researched the relationship between avocado intake and long-term cardiovascular diseases. They found that high avocado intake is linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases. Replacing fat and cholesterol-containing foods such as butter, cheese, and processed meats with avocado products is helpful to cardiovascular health. The study data showed that consuming two or more servings of avocados weekly helped reduce the risk of heart attacks by 21%. To read the research study, click here.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the most common cause of death among American women. The best method for preventing heart disease is maintaining a healthy lifestyle which includes a healthy diet and exercise. Avocados can be incorporated to be a part of your heart-healthy diet.
Another study from 2019, that was conducted by Penn State researchers, found that eating one avocado a day is linked with lower LDL cholesterol. LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. This is often referred to as bad cholesterol because it causes plaque to build up inside arteries and increases your risk of heart disease. LDL should ideally be less than 100 mg/dL. Having low LDL cholesterol is a sign of good health. To read the research article, click here.
Most people know that having high cholesterol is not good for health but may not understand why. High cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, vascular diseases, and high blood pressure.
Remember that just eating avocados won’t give you all these health benefits. Avocados should be used in addition to an overall healthy lifestyle. There are several ways to incorporate avocados into your diet. Popular recipes with avocados include guacamole and avocado toast. Some people like adding them to their salads, and smoothies, or just eating them plain. If you are already an avocado lover, here is your sign to keep on enjoying them.