Why Avocados Deserve Applause
A fiber-rich, heart-healthy fruit that supports skin, eyes, blood sugar, and may even ease osteoarthritis pain and stiffness.
Because of its green color and creamy texture, the avocado is often mistaken for a vegetable. It's actually a fruit, with lower sugar than most others. It's fiber-rich (both soluble and insoluble), helps you feel full, and can even replace butter or oil in baked goods like brownies or blend into a milkshake.
Avocados are anti-aging superstars: lutein for eyesight, vitamin E as a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C, and carotenoids that support DNA and skin repair.
They're heart-healthy and help control blood sugar when swapped for refined carbohydrates. Their monounsaturated fats can raise HDL (good cholesterol) and lower LDL (bad cholesterol). They're also gluten- and dairy-free, contain B vitamins including folate and B6 for pregnancy, and offer generous potassium.
Emerging studies have looked at avocado extracts for pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis. More long-term research is needed, but the everyday benefits are already very real. Need I say more?
Dr. Maggie Cadet, MD