Benefits of Avocado Oil
Known for its’ healthy fats and antioxidants, Avocado is widely consumed in its natural and oil form around the world. Unlike most fruits and vegetables, Avocado is rich in healthy fats and is also used to produce Avocado oil. Though it’s not as well known as Olive oil, this oil is just as scrumptious. Oddly enough, you can actually use this absorbent oil for your skin, like moisturizing dry hands and or acting as a natural sun block. Avocado also has a wide variety of health benefits, largely related to its content of antioxidants and healthy fats.
One of the main benefits of Avocado oil is its richness in oleic acid, a very healthy type of fat. Almost 70% of Avocado oil contains heart-healthy oleic acid. Oleic acid is a monosaturated omega-9 fatty acid. Oleic acid is also the main ingredient in Olive oil and is said to be part of its health benefits. In addition, Avocado oil is composed of 12% saturated fat and about 13% polyunsaturated fat. Research shows that a diet rich in unsaturated fat is key to a healthy lifestyle and can help reduce the risk of heart disease and dementia.
Avocado and its oil are naturally good sources of lutein and carotenoid, an antioxidant that’s commonly found in your eyes. Studies have shown that a diet rich in lutein and carotenoid is the foundation for eye health and can assist in reducing risk of cataracts and macular damage, which are common age induced eye diseases. Since the human body is unable to produce lutein on its own, it needs to be consumed through one's diet.
Fortunately, consuming Avocado and its oil in one’s diet is an amazing way to support your eye health.
As some may know, nutrients need to be combined with fats to allow your body to absorb them, such as fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K. In specific, carotenoid and lutein are poorly absorbed without fat. Thankfully, Avocado oil has the required fats needed to help your body absorb these nutrients.