The Benefits of seeds Of avocado for health are multiple: strengthens the immune system, reduces bad cholesterol, prevents cancer, helps to lose weight, reduces inflammation and blood pressure, is exfoliating, treats anemia and others that we will explain below.
Avocados are a super food that many people feel like eating. After removing the avocado or avocado pulp, it can be used in delicious sauces, sandwiches, milkshakes, spreadable creams and salads, along with the famous Mexican guacamole.
Before consuming the seed, which has a bitter and astringent taste, it removes the thin layer of brown skin that covers it. Then you should either grate the seed or grind it until a powder is formed using a coffee grinder or a high-powered blender.
You can use the powder as a garnish in salads, soups or stews or simply add a tablespoon to a juice or milkshake.
You can even use it to make an infusion by boiling 1 tablespoon of powder in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes, then let stand for 5 minutes before drinking it.
The health and beauty benefits of avocado seeds are so numerous that from now on you will have to think twice before throwing them away again.
The main benefits of avocado seeds
1- Strengthens your immune system
Avocado seeds have strong antioxidant properties. In fact, these seeds contain more than 70 percent of the antioxidants found throughout the fruit.
Antioxidants prevent the formation of free radicals or neutralize them, which stimulates the immune system and keeps it safe from bacterial, viral and fungal infections.
A 2004 study conducted at the National University of Singapore and published in Food Chemistry concluded that avocado seeds, among other fruit seeds such as Mangoes And tamarinds, have a higher level of antioxidant activity than the more common edible parts of fruits.
Including avocado seed powder in your smoothie or juice on a regular basis will help strengthen your immune system and protect you during the cold and flu season.
2- Reduces high cholesterol
It is a known fact that avocado pulp is a good source of monounsaturated fats that can help reduce high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL or"bad"cholesterol) and increase levels of High density lipoprotein (HDL or"good"cholesterol).
Seeds also have cholesterol-lowering properties. They contain a nutritious oil, rich in antioxidants that have the ability to reduce high cholesterol levels.
In addition, avocado seeds are one of the best sources of soluble fiber, which is good for the general health of the heart.
A 2008 study published in Current Atherosclerosis Reports highlighted the positive effects of soluble dietary fiber on LDL cholesterol and the risk of coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases.
A 2013 study published in Current Pharmaceutical Design notes that avocado seeds are a good source of bioactive phytochemicals that can help reduce high cholesterol and high blood pressure, as well as boost immunity.
3- Helps fight cancer
Avocado seeds also have cancer-fighting properties. They contain Flavonols , A class of flavonoids that include compounds like quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin, which function as potent antioxidants to help prevent and reduce tumor growth.
In addition, the healthy fats found in avocado seeds can help kill leukemia stem cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed. In a 2013 study published in Pharmaceutical Biology, researchers found that avocado fruit extract and its seed induced cancer cells to self-destruct, a process known as Apoptosis .
A 2015 study published in Cancer Research notes that avocatin B, a lipid derived from avocado fruit, is a novel compound with cytotoxic activity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Helps reduce primary cell viability without any effect on normal peripheral blood stem cells.
4- Helps to lose weight
Avocado seeds are rich in antioxidants and help burn fat and lose weight . Its soluble fiber content decreases the appetite and provides a feeling of satiety for several hours. This prevents you from eating high-calorie snacks.
In addition, the pit contains calcium, magnesium and potassium that support overall health, recovery from exercise and weight loss.
To lose weight with avocado seeds, you can make a smoothie with ½ unit, 1 green apple, juice of 1 lemon, ½ banana, ½ cup of spinach and 1 tablespoon of ginger. You can drink it in the morning.
5- Reduces inflammation
Antioxidants such as catechins and procyanidins from avocado seeds help reduce pain, swelling and stiffness due to inflammation. Apart from having good antioxidant properties, avocado seeds are also have anti-inflammatory properties.
As a consequence, these seeds are beneficial for the reduction of inflammatory processes in the body, which include acne, asthma, sinusitis, atherosclerosis, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease , Rheumatoid arthritis, interstitial cystitis, and even cancer.
To achieve these effects you can consume approximately 1 to 2 tablespoons of avocado seed powder per day. You can even use avocado seed oil to massage into areas with joint pain or muscle to reduce inflammation.
6- Reduces high blood pressure
People who suffer from high blood pressure or hypertension should never throw away the seed after eating an avocado. The avocado seeds are very high in potassium, which is a good vasodilator. This nutrient helps to decrease the tension of blood vessels and arteries, which reduces high blood pressure.
Potassium also decreases the action of sodium, which in turn regulates blood pressure and promotes the retention of fluid outside the cells. A 2005 study published in Hypertension notes that increased intake of foods rich in potassium has the same blood pressure lowering effect as potassium chloride.
When your blood pressure is at an optimal level, you indirectly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
7- Relieves ailments and gastrointestinal problems
The antioxidants and fiber found in seeds are very conducive to the health of your digestive system. In fact, the seeds contain more soluble fiber than the fruit pulp.
Avocado seed powder can help prevent and relieve constipation naturally. It is even beneficial for gastric ulcers, diarrhea and other digestive problems.
Include avocado seed powder in your diet to help regulate your digestive system. In addition, it will ensure the proper functioning of the pancreas, liver and gallbladder.
8- Delays the process of aging
Avocado seeds can even slow down the aging process. Powerful antioxidants fight free radicals, which cause huge damage to healthy skin cells. This is one of the main causes that accelerates the aging of the skin and promotes wrinkles, age spots, sun damage, fine lines and flaccidity of the skin.
Oil made from avocado seeds increases the formation of collagen in the skin, which is important for young, firm and smooth skin.
Use avocado oil to massage your body and accelerate the generation of new skin cells; And stimulate blood circulation. This will help reverse aging and keep you young longer.
9- Serve to exfoliate the skin
Avocado seed powder also doubles as a natural exfoliant for your skin. This helps eliminate dead cells, excess sebum and other impurities from the skin.
The accumulation of dead cells in the skin makes it look older and even leads to acne by clogging the pores.
The antioxidants found in avocado seed powder also help repair and nourish dry and damaged skin and give it an incredible shine.
To take advantage of these advantages of avocado seed, you can try mixing 1 tablespoon avocado seed powder with 1 teaspoon olive oil and honey. Use this mixture to gently massage your body with circular motions. Wait 15 minutes before taking a bath. Use this exfoliant once or twice a week.
10- Helps enhance the shine of your hair
Another good use of avocado seeds is to enhance the health of the hair. You can prepare a good shampoo that will be free of toxic ingredients and help make your hair thick and smooth. It also helps reduce the appearance of gray hairs.
You can follow these indications to treat in the hair:
- Wash and grind 3 or 4 avocado seeds.
- Grate the seeds using a grater.
- Add the grated seeds to 6 cups of water and bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Allow to cool, then strain.
- Mix this with ¼ cup of your herbal shampoo and store it in a bottle.
- Use this preparation to wash your hair.
- You can also massage the avocado seed oil into the hair to make it strong and shiny.
11- Helps treat anemia
Thanks to Iron content Which is found in the avocado seed, this is very useful for treating anemia. Anemia is a condition in which there is a decrease in the amount or size of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues.
The contribution of iron helps the formation of the hemoglobin that is the oxygen transporting protein. In order for the iron content of the avocado seed to be properly used by the body, it is necessary to accompany this food with some source of vitamin C as a salad with peppers, red fruits or some citrus fruit.
This should be done in the same food so that the iron can be absorbed correctly. Another way to use the iron from the avocado seeds is to prepare it in a smoothie. In this way you consume all the nutrients in a single shake with the maximum use.
12- Helps strengthen bones
Thanks to the calcium content found in avocado seeds, this can help you strengthen your bones and also correct muscle functioning if you exercise.
So that the calcium in the avocado seeds can be used well, you can try to consume the seed powder with some source of dairy. Dairy products contain complete proteins, calcium, vitamin D and lactose, all of which aid in the absorption of calcium in the intestine.
Avoid consuming avocado seed powder with leafy vegetables because they contain oxalic acid and lots of fiber that prevent calcium from being absorbed well into the intestine.
13- How to remove avocado bone
To safely remove the avocado seed, you must cut the avocado in half. Then, insert the tip of the knife around the seed, turn, and pull gently. Finally, remove the bone from the avocado with the knife. Place the avocado seed in a plastic bag and then squeeze it with a hammer (or a blunt object).
Mix the crushed seed with your favorite milkshake ingredients, but keep in mind the above recommendations. If you have a high-powered blender, you may not have to break the seed, but you can add it to the blender and add water.
Finally, remember that to always take advantage of the properties of food, you must carry a varied diet that includes food from all groups, as well as exercise, sunbathing and reduce stress . All this will contribute to your health and prevent chronic diseases related to lifestyle.