Avocado and it's Benefits

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Healthy Pregnancy, Naturally.
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Folate: This fruit is particularly high in folate. It provides 4 percent of the recommended daily allowance. Folate deficiency has been implicated in precancerous lesions particularly found in the cervix and colon. Although folate is found in a variety of foods, as much as half may be destroyed in the cooking process.

Pregnancy : Since avocado is primarily freshly prepared, folate benefits are maximised. Pregnant women and those trying to conceive will benefit from the high levels of folate in avocados, essential for the development of the fetus. Eating half an avo daily provides extra protection for both mother and baby. The soft, easily digestible flesh of the avocado makes it an ideal first fruit for babies. Children get more vitamins from avocados than they would from any other fruit.

Fibre: A hundred grams of avocado provide 3.2 grams of dietary fibre, giving it the highest concentration of dietary fibre of any commonly eaten fruit. High fibre intake is important because it lowers risk of cardiovascular disease, some types of cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

Healthy Oils: Avocado does not contain cholesterol and are very rich in monounsaturated oil, an essential element for lowering LDL cholesterol levels. Mono and polyunsaturated oils make up more than 70% of the oil content in avocados. These 'good' oils have been shown to protect the arterial walls and, therefore, protect against arterial heart disease, one of the country's major killers, which claims tens of thousands of lives every year.

Vitamins:Aside from folate, Vitamins A and C, avocados are very rich in Vitamin B6, which helps keep the nervous system in good working order and is especially beneficial to some women suffering from PMS. Avocado also contains Vitamin A in the safe carotene form.

More Nutrition: In addition, avocados are brimming with Potassium, a mineral necessary for maintaining the right balance of water in the body Half an avocado provides you with an eighth of your daily needs. Phosphorus, an important mineral for bone health, is also found in avocados.

HOW TO RIPEN YOUR AVOCADOS

To ripen avocados at home, keep them at room temperature until they are ripe. To accelerate the ripening process, place avocados in the fruit bowl with other fruit especially bananas.

Source: avocado.co.za

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