Avocado
(Persea Americana)
The Aztecs called it the fruit of fertility. In the Aztec language, it is called ahuacatl which is the word denoting a part of male anatomy which looks like it. When the English encountered it for the first time they wrongly pronounced its name and since then it has been known as “alligator pear”. In South America it is called “winter apple”. Its scientific name is Persea Americana. It has gained fame thanks to ahuacamolli – the famous guacamole sauce. Yes, that is avocado. In effect, alligator pear describes it well: its skin is greenish, uneven, just like an alligator’s and the fruit is pear-shaped. But a more suitable name would be – the fruit of the gods, because what hides under the skin is the meaty and extremely nutritious part of the fruit.
HEALTHY FOOD
If we were to make a list of the healthiest fruits of nature, avocado would surely be at the very top. Avocado is extremely rich in vitamins E, K, C, B5, B6, biotin, folates, potassium, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, zinc, and slightly smaller amounts of vitamins A, B1, B2 and B3. A mere 100 grams of this fruit contains 15 grams of extremely healthy fats and has only 160 calories. Avocado has a low percentage of carbohydrates, it contains no cholesterol, sodium or saturated fats. That is why it is an ideal ingredient in various diets.
Avocado has a higher percentage of potassium than banana and is a real friend to persons suffering from high blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels, heart patients, those at risk from brain haemorrhage and those with kidney problems. An even more important reason for heart patients to embrace it is the fact that this fruit of paradise abounds in unsaturated fatty acids which are necessary for the normal functioning of the body. The largest proportion of fats in avocado is the oleic acid which can also be found in olive oil.
Modern clinical studies have confirmed that avocados protect the cardiovascular system by significantly reducing the level of total cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood and increasing the level of good cholesterol. Therefore, this fruit should form part of a healthy diet for those who have a family history of heart disease, who are recovering from a heart attack, stroke, or to whom the body’s high blood pressure and cholesterol levels are a sure sign that something needs to be done to prevent these severe disorders of the cardiovascular system.
Oleic acid helps fight inflammation, inhibits tumour growth and reduces the negative effects of chemotherapy. It has been proven that avocados reduce the risk of prostate cancer and prevent the growth of existing cancer cells. Avocado also has an anti-inflammatory effect, which helps people suffering from osteoarthritis because it accelerates the work of the liver and helps eliminate toxins from the body thanks to the powerful antioxidant glutathione. But that is not all: avocado has two other exceptional ingredients – lutein and zeaxanthin, which keep our eyes healthy. These carotenoids protect our retina from degeneration and prevent cataracts.
