A new study has revealed that avocado has significant cholesterol reducing properties which can reduce the risk of heart disease and also help with weight loss, reports the UK newspaper the Daily Mail.
Though classed as a fruit, the avocado is not typical in the fact that rather than being high in carbohydrate, avocados are high in fat. Fat has long been hailed the dietary enemy number one, but as the tables turn and the scientific spotlight shines more acutely on sugar, so the benefits of the humble avocado are being realised.
Furthermore, the fruit reduces a person’s risk of heart disease, according to scientists from the Hass Avocado Board, in California.
Emiliano Escobedo, executive director, said: ‘This study supports the body of research showing the many benefits that fresh avocados have to offer when consumed in everyday healthy eating plans.’
The findings fall in line with recent recommendations from the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
The guidelines stated that making small shifts in food choices can make a difference – including shifting from solid fats to oils, such as the oil in fresh avocados.
The new study, published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, confirmed that swapping solid fats for avocados can ‘significantly change lipid profiles’.
Scientists analyzed 10 unique avocado studies with 229 participants. The researchers assessed the impact of avocado on cholesterol levels.
They found that consuming one to one-and-a-half avocados per day ‘significantly reduced total cholesterol’.
Additionally, it also limited the ‘bad’ low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides when substituted for sources of fat.
Corresponding study author Dr Sachin Shah noted that the results showed that even healthy study subjects showed significant reductions.
Dr Nikki Ford, director of nutrition for Hass Avocado Board, said: ‘Fresh avocado, as part of a balanced diet, and as a cholesterol-free substitute for solid fats, can help be part of the solution for maintaining normal cholesterol levels.’
Having high levels of bad cholesterol is known to be a major risk factor for heart disease, according to the study. Cardiovascular disease is responsible for one out of every four deaths – and it is the number one killer of men and women. Heart disease is also one of the leading causes of disability.
The study noted that additional research must be conducted to look at the impact of avocados on major adverse cardiovascular events.
Furthermore, the optimal amount of avocado and frequency of use needs further evaluation, the scientists noted.
Source: Fresh Plaza