Avocado has 14 important health benefits. Avocados are superfood that many people around the world love to eat. Most People throw away the large seed, not realizing that it is edible and offers many health benefits. In fact, the seeds contain much higher antioxidant, fiber and phenolic content than the flesh. Before consuming the seed, which has a bitter and astringent flavor, remove the fine layer of brown skin that covers it. Then, grate the seed or grind it into a powder using a Pusho-meal or a high-powered blender. You can use the powder as a garnish in salads, soups or stews or simply add a spoonful of it to your juice or smoothie recipe.
Here are the 14 surprising benefits of avocado seeds.
- Strengthens the Immune System
Avocado seeds contain catechins and procyanidins, both of which have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and diseases. The aforementioned flavonol in avocado boosts immunity and keeps cold and flu at bay.
Avocado seeds have strong antioxidant properties. In fact, the seeds contain more than 70 percent of the antioxidants found in the entire fruit. Antioxidants keep free radicals at bay, which in turn boosts your immune system and keeps you safe from bacterial, viral and fungal infections.
- Prevent cancer
It is such amazing facts that avocado seed contains many active substance that are effective in fighting and preventing cancer. Avocado seed contains flavonoid that acts as antioxidant which protect the cells from any damage that caused by free radicals and later can trigger the development of cancer cells. According to study which published in International Journal of Pharmacy, avocado seed can inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells since it contains many phytochemicals and those phytochemical are toxic to the cancer cells. The healthy fat in avocado seeds can also wipe out leukaemia stem cells, while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
- Maintain blood sugar level
According to study, avocado seed’s fiber not only help in maintaining healthy digestion but it also helpful in stabilizing the blood sugar level. This makes the avocado seed is save to be consumed by diabetes patient.
- Lowers high cholesterol
It is a known fact that the pulp of avocados is a good source of monounsaturated fats that can help reduce high levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol) and raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol) levels. They seed also contain nourishing oil, rich in antioxidants that have the ability to lower high cholesterol levels.
- Help in Weight loss.
Their soluble fibre content lowers your appetite and provides you a feeling of fullness for several hours. This prevents you from eating calorie-rich snacks. In addition, the pit contains calcium, magnesium and potassium that support overall health, fitness recovery and weight loss.
- Reduces inflammation
The antioxidants like catechins and procyanidins in avocado seeds help reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness due to inflammation. Apart from having good antioxidant properties, the seeds are also rich in anti-inflammatory properties.
Thus, the seeds are beneficial for reducing inflammatory diseases within the body, which include acne, asthma, sinusitis, atherosclerosis, celiac disease, hay fever, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, interstitial cystitis, and even cancer.
- Lowers high Blood Pressure
People suffering from high blood pressure, or hypertension, should never throw away the seed after eating an avocado. Avocado seeds are very high in potassium, which is a good vasodilator. This nutrient helps relax the tension of blood vessels and arteries, thus lowering high blood pressure. Potassium also lessens the effect of sodium, which in turn regulates blood pressure which in return reduces your risk of heart disease and strokes.
- Live Longer, Feeling Better
Components in the avocado seeds are able to reduce bone disease, aches, pains, and joint discomfort, which in turn helps you feel younger. Antioxidant content combats free radicals that cause premature aging and illness. What makes avocados effective in slowing down the aging process is their ability to synthesize collage.
- Improves digestion
The antioxidants and fibre found in the seeds are great for your digestive system. In fact, the seeds contain more soluble fibre than the flesh of the fruit. The powder of avocado seeds can help prevent and relieve constipation naturally. It is even beneficial for gastric ulcers, diarrhoea, and other digestive issues. Include avocado seed powder in your diet to help your digestive tract perform at its prime. It will also ensure proper functioning of the pancreas, liver and gallbladder.
- Delays aging process
The seeds can even delay the aging process. The powerful antioxidants fight off free radicals, which cause huge damage to healthy skin cells. This in turn accelerates skin aging and promotes wrinkles, age spots, sun damage, fine lines and sagging skin. The oil made from avocado seeds increases collagen in your skin, which is important for youthful, firm and smooth skin.
Use avocado oil to massage your body to accelerate new skin cell generation and promote circulation in the body. This will help reverse aging and keep you looking young for years.
- Maintain healthy skin
Avocado seed can be extracted or processed to produce avocado seed powder that can be use in beauty skin care treatment. Avocado seed contains antioxidant and it can be beneficial to keep young skin due to its ability to prevent the free radical damage that is the main factor of aging on skin. And most important according to study, 70% the antioxidant content of avocado is lay on its seed
- Strengthen bones
Who knows that avocado seed also high in calcium and can be effective in keeping bone mass density. Calcium is a crucial mineral which is needed in the bones development and maintaining the mass from suffering osteoporosis or other bones disorder.
- Prevent and treat Anaemia
Anaemia is a condition where the body get lack of oxygen and nutrient transport from the red blood cells and resulting in poor stamina and productivity. Avocado seed contains iron which can be helpful in treating and prevent anaemia since iron is the key factor of the red blood cells formation
- Maintain fluid balance
Our body consist of liquid the most and avocado seed contains high level of potassium which is the mineral that control the fluid balance inside the body and keep the body from suffering dehydration
Below are some recipes for Avocado seed.
For Skin
- Mix 1 tablespoon of avocado seed powder with 1 teaspoon each of olive oil and honey.
- Use this mixture to gently massage your body using circular motions.
- Wait 15 minutes before taking a bath.
- Use this scrub once or twice a week.
For shiny hair
Another good use of avocado seeds is making your own shampoo out of them. This homemade shampoo will be free of toxic ingredients and help make your hair thick and soft. It also helps reduce greying.
- Wash and pat dry 3 or 4 avocado seeds.
- Grate the seeds using a greater.
- Add the grated seeds to 6 cups of water and bring it to boil, then simmer it for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Allow it to cool, then strain it.
- Mix this infusion with ¼ cup of your herbal shampoo and store it in a bottle.
- Use it for washing your hair regularly
For weight loss
- ½ avocado seed (grounded)
- 1 green apple
- 1 lemon
- ½ banana
- ½ cup of spinach Juice
- 1 tablespoon of ginger (grounded)
- Blend together using a blender and make smoothie take it empty stomach
Well-being of the body
- 1 tablespoon of grounded seed
- 2 cups of water
- Mix the powder and water then boil for 10 minutes, allow it to settle for 5 minutes before drinking. You can do this twice a day.
- NB. Include avocado seed powder in your smoothie or juice on a regular basis to strengthen your immune system and protect yourself during the cold and flu season.
Remember not to consume it excessively since it contains natural laxative it may cause mild diarrhoea or other digestive problems.
