Avocado is getting more and more popular. No wonder, considering the number of publications raving about its positive health effects, how easy it is to prepare or how versatile.
Here are a few reasons why avocado is good for you:
- It has a high content of vitamin K which is good for strong bones and helps blood clot;
- It is a rich source of vitamin B9 which feeds your brain;
- It has a low glycemic index and contains few simple sugars, which is certainly a plus for people with diabetes;
- It has a relatively high amount of potassium;
- It contains antioxidants which protect the liver;
- It contains plant sterols which help lower cholesterol level in blood.
There are many ways in which avocados may benefit your health and it is worth considering them while planning your meals, however, you should keep in mind that there are a few major counterindications. If you suffer from indigestion, have food allergies or take certain drugs, eating avocados may not be good for you. Who should not eat avocados?
People who are sensitive to latex
If you have been diagnosed as sensitive to latex, you should exclude avocados from your diet until you have consulted it with your doctor. Just like bananas and kiwis, avocados contain certain proteins which may cause allergic reaction. This is because of a cross-reactivity which is called the “latex-fruit syndrome”. Allergens found in fruit may, to some extent, be structurally similar to allergens found in materials to which you are allergic. Your body already knows how to react to specific allergens found in latex. When you eat avocado, it may react in the same way and consider it a threat. Another popular allergy cross-sensitivity between pollens and food is birch pollens and apples or hazel pollens and hazelnuts.
People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Avocados contain short-chain carbohydrates which – if consumed in large amounts – may be hard to digest for people with irritable bowel syndrome. Some of the nutrients that are not properly absorbed during the digestion will ferment in intestines and cause certain unwanted issues. Such food intolerance can cause: gas, bloating, stomach aches, diarrhea and constipation. If you notice such bowel issues, you should closely monitor your reactions to what you are eating. Of course when you notice the above symptoms, we recommend visiting a gastrologist in addition to limiting the products that cause digestive issues.
People who use anticoagulants, or blood thinners
Avocado is a rich source of vitamin K which plays an important role in the blood clotting processes. Its sudden fluctuations (for example, as a result of eating large quantities of avocados) may distort the effect of anticoagulant medicines. That is because anticoagulants are vitamin K antagonists, that is they act in the opposite way to one another inside your body. In such a situation, it is worth providing a fixed amount of vitamin K with your diet on a daily basis (according to some sources 90–120 μg) or limit it as much as possible while taking the medicine. If you love avocados or other foods rich in vitamin K and you do not want to eliminate them from your diet, you must consult a specialist.
People who take special care of the planet
Avocados are one of the most controversial foods. They are mainly imported from developing countries, such as Mexico, Chile or Peru, where their production is largely related to the criminal activity of cartels. The term “blood avocados” is related to the violation of human rights by cartels that rule in that corner of the world.
Reports show that the organised criminal groups earn nearly 150 million US dollars a year from “avocado tax” and they own 10% of all avocado plantations in that area. To cover the growing global demand for that fruit, the avocado producers there cut more than 30% of forests a year, which has a considerable impact on the global ecosystem. Many plant and animal species that exist there die in the process as they are deprived of their homes. On average, you need 283 litres of fresh water to produce 0.5 kilograms of avocados; more than 400g CO2 are emitted to the environment to grow one fruit, which largely contributes to the formation of the ozone hole and global warming. So, if you care about the fate of our planet, you should check where the product comes from. It is a good idea to choose avocados grown in Israel and Spain, and those labelled as not being harmful to the environment or human beings.
Avocado as such is a fruit that can add variety to our meals and support our diet as it provides many vitamins and microelements that are good for our body. It is also an excellent addition to a vegan diet. However, upon considering the nutrition benefits and the harmful effect the industry that delivers it has on the planet, it is worth taking informed nutrition and buying decisions.