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There isn’t another fruit quite like the avocado.
Unique in its flavor and texture, the avocado has become a staple in everything from Mexican food to millennial’s breakfasts. But the benefits of avocados go far beyond their delicious taste. The fruit offers plenty of health and wellness benefits, especially when condensed down to avocado oil.
Avocado oil is believed to offer regenerative and moisturizing properties. It is frequently used in a variety of recipes and cooking methods, both as a featured ingredient or a substitute. Avocado oil can reduce inflammation and is full of antioxidants. Combined with regular exercise, the health benefits of consuming avocado oils are numerous. Seems daunting to figure out all of these benefits on your own, right? Luckily, we’ve done the research and come up with the four top health and wellness benefits avocado oil has to offer!
1. Rich in healthy Omega-9 fatty acids
The health benefits of eating avocado oil are well documented. Avocado oil is full of Omega-9 fatty acids, which is the “good fat” that can have incredible health advantages when eaten in moderation. In fact, approximately 70% of avocado oil is made up of these Omega-9 fatty acids.
This healthy oil has been studied repeatedly, and animal research shows a positive effect on blood cholesterol and blood pressure. While there is more research to be done, all signs point to avocado oil increasing your heart health.
The benefits don’t stop at your heart. Avocados are a good source of lutein, a substance found in your eyes. Lutein functions as an antioxidant that can reduce your risk of developing cataracts or macular degeneration. Since your body can’t produce lutein naturally, it’s important your diet contains plenty of it. Avocado oil can help with that!
It is also believed that you can improve the benefits of a healthy diet by including avocado oil. Certain nutrients can only be absorbed by your body if there is ample fat. Without enough fat, there is no amount of nutrients you can take in that will meet your nutritional needs. One study has shown that helpful carotenoid antioxidants present in fruits and vegetables are absorbed in an increased rate when neaten with avocado oil.
2. Provides numerous benefits for your skin
It’s not just your diet that avocado oil can help with. This absorbent oil is a natural skin moisturizer that can also act as a natural sunblock. It can also be combined with other remedies. The natural ability to block UV rays can be explained by the beta-carotene as well as the protein and vitamins in the oil. A 2013 study also concluded that a mixture of avocado oil and a number of essential oils may speed up wound healing. That study involved animals, so the jury is still out on whether it will help with human healing.
Finally, some researchers believe autoimmune deficiencies like plaque psoriasis could be treated with avocado oil. The researchers found that the oil mixed with vitamin B-12 cream successfully treated the scaly, red skin common with plaque psoriasis.
3. Tames frizzy, dull hair
The same factors that make avocado oil a gift for your skin also apply to your hair. The benefits include taming frizz and promoting growth, for starters.
Eating avocado oil has some obvious health benefits. The antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals avocado oil is rich in are known to keep your hair strong and promote growth. But the oil is also beneficial when applied directly to the hair as well. You can moisturize and repair your hair by rubbing the oil into it, according to a 2015 study by the International Journal of Trichology. The study shows that minerals from avocado oil will seal the cuticle cells in the hair which makes the hair less likely to break. Rubbing the oil into your scalp may also prevent hair loss; by stimulating blood flow in your scalp the oil may help keep your hair around longer.
4. Provides a healthier option for deep frying
We all like to indulge once in a while. It’s no secret that deep frying is anything but healthy, but the truth is the oil you put in your deep fryer can greatly affect just how unhealthy your fried food is. While it is rarely mentioned compared to more popular frying oils like peanut oil or canola oil, the truth is avocado oil is notably healthier than either option. Unlike other oils that are primarily made up of the bad fats, avocado oil consists primarily of much healthier fatty acids. The end result is far fewer calories on your plate. While not health-related, avocado oil also has a high smoke point and a neutral taste which are two of the most important qualities of frying oil.
