Some people avoid
including avocados in their diets because of their fat content. According to
Selene Yeager, author of "The Doctors Book of Food Remedies, avocados are one of
the few fruits that contain fat--a single avocado may contain as much as 30g of
fat. However, some nutritionists believe that these fruits offer several
important health benefits.
Talk to your physician before eating avocados to treat any illness or health
condition.
According to Yeager, most of the fats in avocados are monounsaturated fats, which may help lower triglyceride levels in the bloodstream. Triglycerides are lipids that can contribute to arterial blockage and heart disease. This may be particularly important for people with diabetes, who tend to have elevated triglyceride levels. Adding one or two avocados per day may lower triglycerides by as much as 20 percent.
Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, is one of the most important nutrients for overall physical health, according to Dr. James F. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." This vitamin supports the nervous system, helps the body manufacture red blood cells and aids in the synthesis of proteins and fats. It also prevents homocysteine, a toxic chemical in the body, from forming cholesterol deposits around the heart. According to the California Avocado Commission, a 1-oz. serving of avocado provides about four percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6.
Like vitamin B6, folate helps protect nerve endings in the body against damage. It may also help prevent heart disease, according to Yeager. Folate is particularly important for pregnant women, because this vitamin helps prevent birth defects such as spine and brain abnormalities. One avocado provides about 28 percent of the daily recommended intake of folate.