Avocado - it’s a wonderful thing! It’s got a wonderful taste and has use in many different dishes and foods, from guacamole, to sliced on toast, to even pudding! It’s an extremely versatile fruit, to say the least - but what can it do for our health as part of a balanced Paleo diet? Is avocado really healthy, or is it just another fad?  

• Vitamin & Mineral Density

Avocado is fairly dense in nutrients like vitamins and minerals. A typical avocado alone contains about a quarter of your DV (daily value) of Vitamin K while also containing good amounts of Potassium, Folate, and Vitamins B5, B6, and C. Avocado also has smaller amounts of magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, and Vitamins A, B1, and B2. Plus, it contains all of these nutrients with only 160 calories! Out of that 160 calories, it’s got 2 grams of protein, 15 grams of fat, and 9 grams of carbohydrates - 7 of which come from it’s fiber content, which brings us to our next point...

• High in Fiber and Good Fats

Avocado is great for loading up on fiber and good, healthy, unsaturated fats. It’s one of the fattiest plant-based foods you can eat, with nearly 77% of its calories coming from fat! What’s more, the fat that does make up the avocado’s fruit primarily consists of oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that is great for overall health, especially when it comes to reducing inflammation. The fat contained within avocados can also help you absorb more nutrients as well, as certain nutrients like Vitamin K and D are fat-soluble (meaning they are better absorbed with the presence of fat). Additionally, avocados are loaded with 7 grams of fiber, which is essential for microbiome health and digestive regularity. Avocados also contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which are essential for digestion.

• It Can Help You Stay Healthy

Avocados can be responsible for a number of positive health effects. Firstly, it can help you manage your cholesterol levels. Avocados have been shown to reduce overall cholesterol levels in the bloodstream significantly, as well as increase “good cholesterol” (HDL) levels by a decent amount within a span of only two to four weeks. That’s not all avocados can do, however: avocados are also loaded with antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which can help boost your immunity. Avocados may also have potential to help prevent cancer, as avocado extract has hindered growth of cancer cells in laboratory settings. Avocados can also help treat arthritis, as they contain a substance called unsaponifiables, which can reduce arthritic symptoms by controlling pain and related symptoms.

In short, avocado is a tasty addition to any food, from sandwiches to salads, and makes a great addition for any meal, both for taste and for health. Plus, it’s perfectly Paleo - and here at Caveman Foods, we love putting avocado on just about anything. So with everything avocado has to offer, why not give some a try if you haven’t already?