Nowaday avocado is a fashionable food, not only for its delicious taste, but also for its benefits for our body. In this article we are going to explain what they are, their main properties and how you can cook them so as not to lose any properties.
What is the origin of the avocado?
The avocado is a fruit, it comes from the avocado tree, specifically it is called American Persea and it is part of the lauraceae plants. These are a set of woody-type plants, which are characterized by growing in places with a warm climate. Within this family we also find plants such as laurel, cauliflower and cinnamon.
Its name comes from Central America and specifically derives from the Aztec language: ahuacatl. It means “testicle” because of its shape. That’s why it is also known to be an aphrodisiac.
In Spain, however, we gave it another name, “pear of the Indies“, because of its shape. Inside there is a big and round seed, and it has a flavor reminiscent of hazelnut.
Although it may not seem like it, there are many different varieties, each one is harvested at a different time of the year. Thanks to this, both in winter and in summer we can buy this fruit. Today it is also grown here and there is an organic variety, which is a real plus.
These are the main properties of avocado:
Provides healthy fats: the main contribution of this fruit is monounsaturated fats. It is part of the category of oleaginous fruits, providing between 14% and 15% of monounsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid.
Rich in minerals and vitamins: the contribution that stands out the most is that of vitamin E. For every 100 grams of avocado, we obtain the necessary 25% daily of this vitamin. In second place, we find the contribution in vitamin C, specifically it provides us with 22% of the necessary. Furthermore, it is rich in provitamin A and minerals: potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc … As you can see, it is very complete.
Thanks to these properties we can benefit from:
It improves cardiovascular health: thanks to healthy oils we will strengthen our heart, reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. Which will reduce the risk of heart disease.
It reduces the signs of aging: as it has so much vitamin E and C it helps us to fight the effects of free radicals. The main causes of aging. Thanks to this, our skin will look younger and our organs will function properly for longer.
It strengthens our muscles: it is a highly recommended food for both athletes and pregnant women. It helps the muscles recover after a sports activity, providing the potassium they have lost and other necessary minerals. In addition, it provides pregnant women with extra energy, nutrients and minerals they need.
It helps to relax: if we are going through a particularly nervous or stressful time, we should eat this fruit. Its contributions of fatty acids and vitamins, especially group B, will calm our nervous system.
This superfood can be included in salty and sweet dishes, it provides a creamy texture and a very good flavor. Of course, we must do it quickly because it rusts easily.
It is usually eaten raw although it can also be cooked. It is better to add it at the end of cooking so that it does not become bitter.
As you can see, avocado is a food with many benefits. It can be purchased practically anywhere and at any time of the year. In addition, we can cook it in a thousand different ways, each person will have a favorite recipe with this superfood. Don’t stop including it in your diet!