Native to Mexico and Peru and introduced by the Spanish, the avocado is a very attractive and energetic fruit, almost a vegetable butter, rich in vitamin E, which is assigned an active role in delaying the processes of aging. It belongs to the Lauraceae family, and is also known in other regions and countries under the names of Avocado, Cura, Avocado and Pay.
Avocado is a perfect food as a natural vegetarian substitute for proteins contained in meat, eggs, cheese and poultry. The Avocado properties are very beneficial for health: they contain the high-quality essential fatty acids and proteins that are easily digested without negatively contributing to cholesterol. Although its benefits for the body are undoubted, its great caloric intake makes it a food that should be consumed with some discretion, especially in people with being overweight or obese.
Main nutritional and therapeutic properties
Experts have found that many of the avocado’s properties help to prevent a series of diseases such as: diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s and heart problems, among other ailments. Within the properties of the Avocado is high in fiber and sodium, which is free of cholesterol.
And among the main properties of avocado we can highlight:
• Source of Omega-3: Foods that contain Omega-3 fatty acid, like the avocado fruit, they are recommended to have a healthy heart, a brilliant brain and exceptional eyesight.
• Source of Vitamins: The avocado fruit has vitamins A, C, D, E, K and B vitamins, which are thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, acid pantothenic, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folic acid, as well as potassium. Avocado for its contribution of Vitamin E acts as antioxidant, intervenes in the stability of blood cells and contributes to reducing the risk of multiple diseases, including
cardiovascular, degenerative and even cancer.
• Ally in the prevention of Alzheimer’s: The properties of avocado help Alzheimer’s, since the high doses of vitamin E it contains can neutralize free radicals and protein buildup to reverse memory loss in Alzheimer’s patients. Also the properties of avocado counteract the symptoms of Alzheimer’s in the early stages and slow the progression of the disease.
• Provides monounsaturated fats: The monounsaturated fats of the avocado help to control triglycerides in the blood, decrease the cholesterol and control diabetes. Monounsaturated fats in avocado help prevent cholesterol from building up on the walls of the veins and arteries reducing bad cholesterol levels while increasing good cholesterol (HDL) levels.
• Source of Folate: This water-soluble vitamin B helps the development of cells and tissues. The folate contained in the avocado fruit helps to prevent the formation of tangled nerve fibers associated with Alzheimer’s.
• Contains Lutein: The avocado fruit contains this natural pigment that protects against cataracts and certain types of cancer. In addition to the Lutein is one of the properties that reduces the risk of macular degeneration, leading cause of blindness in adults 65 years and older.
• Contains Oleic Acid and Potassium: Both oleic acid and potassium in avocado help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of pressure arterial. In addition, the potassium contained in avocado is essential for transmission and generation of the nerve impulse and necessary in the balance of water inside and outside the cell.
• Source of Magnesium: Magnesium, another mineral provided by Avocado, is related to the functioning of the intestine, nerves, the system muscular and immunological and in the constitution of bones and teeth.
• An ally for people with diabetes: For its ability to normalize blood sugar values, it is a food that diabetics can consume.
• A food for athletes: Its nutritional and caloric composition is ideal for people who carry out great physical efforts.
• Ideal for pregnant women: Although in the pregnancy stage your consumption must be supervised by a doctor, it is an excellent food
for the future mom.
How much and how to consume avocado?
Given its nutritional profile, it is advisable not to consume more than one medium avocado per day. If its size and variety is large, with medium avocado is more than enough. There are more than 500 varieties of avocado existing, given its cultivation and adaptation in large areas of Latin America and its rapid internationalization and acceptance throughout the world. There is varieties for all seasons of the year: Bacon, Strong, Gwen, Hass, Pinkerton, Reed and Zutano, among others. It is interesting to learn to know them and get all its advantages from each one.
The important thing is to choose well the maturity of the same in the purchase. For this check the hardness of the fruit.
Avocado is increasingly being introduced into European cuisine as a popular ingredient. Recipes are imported from Latin America authentically exquisite (especially from Mexico and Peru). Very recommended the popular Guacamole, a homemade pasta made from the avocado, and that goes with everything (you can even make sandwiches vegetables with Guacamole). Other suggested recipes are: Tomato salad with avocado, celery and avocado salad and cold avocado and coconut soup (Mexico).
There is a whole “art of removing the pit” without destroying the avocado; for it: Prick the bone with the tip of a knife and remove it by moving it with watch out. The pulp peels off more easily by surrounding the skin with a spoon.