Avocado Can Make You Healthier!

Metabolic syndrome is defined as a cluster of risk factors. These can raise the risk of other health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Risk factors include abdominal obesity, low levels of good (HDL) cholesterol ,  high triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, and high fasting blood sugar. The presence of at least three of these risk factors warrants a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.

According to the American Heart Association, metabolic syndrome affects around 23 percent of adults in the United States. Adopting a healthy diet is considered one of the best ways to prevent or treat metabolic syndrome. The new recent study suggests that avocados should form a part of this diet.

Avocados are a fruit from the avocado tree, or Persea Americana. It is native to Mexico and Central and South America. A number of studies have reported the possible health benefits of avocado. A study reported by Medical News Today in 2014  found that eating half an avocado with lunch may aid weight loss. A more recent study linked the fruit to reduced levels of  “bad” cholesterol. These benefits have been given credit to the active ingredients of avocados. These include carotenoids, fatty acids, minerals such as calcium, iron, and zinc, and vitamins A, B, C, and E.

Avocado Has the Strongest Effect on Cholesterol Levels

The research team found that the fruit has the most impact on lipid levels. That is, levels of HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides.

As an example, the team points to one study of 67 adults. 30 had a healthy lipid profile and 37 had mildly high cholesterol. After sticking to an avocado forward diet for 1 week, both groups showed significant lowering in total and LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Avocado Helps Weight Loss and Treating Metabolic Syndrome

The review also discovered evidence that avocado is beneficial for weight loss. The reviewers cite one study that found people with extra weight or obese adults who ate one avocado every day for 6 weeks experienced significant decreases in body weight, body mass index ( BMI ), and the percentage of body fat. The team identified a number of studies associating avocado intake with reductions in blood pressure among patients withhigh blood pressure.  Evidence suggests that the fruit might also help to reduce atherosclerosis – the narrowing or hardening of arteries caused by a buildup of plaque.

In conclusion, review have found great evidence suggesting that avocado can be used as an “herbal dietary supplement” for the treatment of the different components of metabolic syndrome!