Although they are fruits, avocados have a fat content of between 71 to 88% of their total calories – about 20 times the average for other fruits. A typical avocado contains 30 grams of fat, but 20 of these fat grams are health-promoting monounsaturated fats, the kind that doesn’t turn to fat in our bodies but rather helps to burn unwanted “bad fats”.
This monounsaturated fat also helps to lower cholesterol. In one study of people with moderately high cholesterol levels, individuals who ate a diet high in avocados showed clear health improvements. After seven days on the diet that included avocados, they had significant decreases in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, along with an 11% increase in health promoting HDL cholesterol.
Enjoying a few slices of avocado in your tossed salad, or mixing some chopped avocado into your favourite salsa will not only add a rich, creamy flavor, but will greatly increase your body’s ability to absorb the health-encouraging carotenoids that your salad vegetables provide.