A prolific producer the avocado tree can produce 500 to 2,000 fruits in its lifetime. The avocado is considered the most highly nutritionally evolved of all food plants. With the biochemical profile of a nut rather than a fruit, the average avocado provides enough protein to replace the meat or cheese in a light meal.
Avocado is a source of 13 essential minerals, including iron copper, and magnesium, which work as a team to build and repair red blood cells and prevent nutritional anemia. A serving of guacamole also gives you monounsaturated fats for maintenance of normal cholesterol levels and provides a more potent source of hearth rhythm regulating potassium that such potassium source standards as peaches, potatoes, and prune juice. In fact, studies suggest that half an avocado a day not only satisfies your ;fat tooth; a lot better than butter but lowers cholesterol by 8% to 42%. As a bonus, avocados are low in sodium and cholesterol free.
A spoonful of avocado oil a day provides vitamin A for smooth, age resistant skin and vitamin E, which prevents premature aging. In addition, avocado promotes youthful neurological function and enhances the uptake of vitamin A.
An avocado smoothie or green vichyssoise is a good defense against malnutrition and essential fatty acid deficiencies, a common side effect of dieting, which rob skin of oil needed by the sebaceous glands.
Avocados are a top rated source of three important B vitamins - folate, pyrodoxine and antithetic, the two nerve stabilizing B vitamins.
Getting a little guacamole in your meals may be the only fast acting food laxative you need. Mix two mashed avocados with 1 teaspoon cider vinegar or lemon juice, take a spoonful at any time needed. The creamy, nonirritating consistency of the avocado makes it prescriptive for colitis, ulcers, and bowel disorders.
Pureed avocado also makes a healing moisturizing mask for dry skin. Mix with a bit of ground oats to bind and apply to clean skin for 20 minutes, or simply massage your just washed face and neck with the inside of the avocado skin. Give rough knees, feet and elbows the same oily massage.
Buy avocados hard and allow to ripen at room temperature. Avocados are at their peak when semi soft.If not completely eaten, sprinkle exposed avocado with lemon juice to prevent discoloration, and refrigerate.
