Health: The surprising benefits of an avocado

Healthy eating: The benefits of avocado

Lindsay POUI-DI

04 Sep 2014

updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:51

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Hyper satisfying
A half-avocado for lunch reduces the urge for snacking in the afternoon. An American study published at the end of November, 2013 in Nutrition Newspaper proved indeed that its ingestion decreases the sensation of hunger by 40% and cravings during the three hours that follow. Even better, it slows down the amount of sugar in the blood after the meal, avoiding the peaks of insulin and thus lowers the risk of developing diabetes.
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A great ingredient in all salads
The avocado’s attractive almond green flesh is an ingredient of choice for fresh light dishes. As with olive oil, it favours the intestinal absorption of antioxidants contained in raw vegetables. According to researchers at Columbus University (USA), it multiplies by four the rate of assimilation of the lycopene of tomatoes, a nutriment with proven anticancer virtues. It also doubles the absorption of the beta-carotene of carrots, peppers and shoots of spinach. It is ideal for preserving the youthfulness of the skin, the eyes, and can help achieve harmonious sun tanning.
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Divine softness
To enjoy all the benefits of the avocado, it is necessary to consume it fully ripe, tender and creamy. We often find that it is as hard as wood at the grocery and that it is thus necessary to ripen it at home. Don't leave it on the fruit basket or in the refrigerator. It will soon become insipid, fibrous and covered with black spots A good technique: pack it in some newspaper and keep it for a few days in the darkness.
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Good for your heart
Because of its strong lipid contents (14.6 g / 100 g) and in calories (160 kcal / 100 g), it's difficult to imagine that it can be good for our heart. However, it regulates the rate of bad cholesterol and protects the cardiovascular system thanks to its unsaturated fatty acids (oleic, linoleic acids...) It is rich in potassium (485 mg / 100 g), which protects against high arterial blood pressure, and in magnesium (29 mg / 100 g), which counter myocardial infarction.

The avocado deserves a special place in our salads because it is full of healthy ingredients. In addition, it boosts the benefits of other raw vegetables. Here’s all you need to know about this delicious fruit.

DISCOVER these delicious avocado RECIPES:

AVOCADO MOUSSE WITH SALMON

Crush the flesh of three avocados with the juice of a lemon, then mix with two soup spoons of olive oil until the mousse is created. Season at your convenience with a mixture of Moroccan spices.

Distribute in four small cups. Add three cherry tomatoes to each of them, along with shoots of spinach and some strips of smoked salmon. Serve fresh.

AVOCADO-COCONUT GAZPACHO

Mix the flesh of two avocados with 250ml of coconut milk and the juice of two limes. Dilute with 250 ml of cold water to obtain a homogeneous liquid. Add 200 g of natural yoghurt and a ½ teaspoon of dry chili.

Add salt and, pepper. Keep for two hours in the refrigerator. Before serving, decorate with diced tomato and some finely chopped fresh coriander.

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