An avocado a day keeps the doctor away? A new study seems to suggest so.
Professor Penny Kris-Etherton of Penn State University, the author of the study that was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, says the study found eating an avocado per day for six months led to a decrease in dangerous cholesterol levels.
According to the Daily Record they said: "While the avocados did not affect belly fat or weight gain, the study still provides evidence that avocados can be a beneficial addition to a well-balanced diet.
"Incorporating an avocado per day in this study did not cause weight gain and also caused a slight decrease in LDL cholesterol, which are all important findings for better health."
High cholesterol occurs when a person has too much of the fatty substance in their blood, which can cause a host of serious problems if ignored. Eating too much fatty food, not getting enough exercise, smoking and drinking can all cause high cholesterol.
Lowering it can help prevent heart disease or prevent any further damage following a heart attack. The trial, performed earlier this year, was reportedly the largest study about the health benefits of avocados.
For six months, 923 participants were either instructed to eat avocados every day or not at all. Their cholesterol levels were measured through the testing period. Those who consumed the avocados had less LDL cholesterol.
However, the claims made by the study are rebuked by other experts. NutritionFacts.org reports that the studies may see a reduction in “bad” cholesterol due to the cutting down of animal fats.
The website also argues that avocados don’t contain enough LDL cholesterol to have enough impact. Whether or not this is true, it is known that avocados are packed with nutrients including folate, magnesium and phosphorus.
These vitamins and minerals are vital for many functions in the body, and are overall linked to well-being. The best way to consume avocados is to do so as part of wider lifestyle choices – such as eating a healthy balanced diet.
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