Persea Americana, more commonly known as avocado, stands out among the fruits in the market because while most fruits are comprised of carbohydrates, avocados contain high levels of healthy fats. That’s why it doesn’t take much to convince people to buy avocados – it tastes great and it’s an ideal breakfast staple for health buffs and gym rats. It’s good for people who want to maintain or lose weight. The green avocado flesh makes a great smoothie or salad but did you know that most of the health benefits are in the avocado seed? Yes! We had it all wrong. The next time you eat an avocado, think twice before throwing the seed.
Antioxidants found in avocados are way more than that of the antioxidants in other vegetables and fruits at the super market. 70% of these antioxidants can actually be found in the seed. It also contains polyphenols such as green tea and they are loaded with soluble fiber.
Avocado seed oil has plenty of health benefits. Its antioxidants help prevent disease, lower the cholesterol levels in the body, stop cardiovascular diseases, and strokes. If you are suffering from diarrhea, inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract or other stomach problems, a slice of toasted avocado seeds can give you instant relief. In fact, that’s how stomach infections are treated in South America. That’s because of the phenolic compounds found in the seed that help avert bacterial infections, viral infections and gastric ulcers.
Avocado seeds are also used in treating cancer patients. It contains high levels of flavonol, a phytochemical compound that can help stop the growth of tumors in the body. It can also help keep the body’s immune system at high levels which is very crucial for people who are undergoing cancer treatments. Avocado seeds are also highly recommended for people who are suffering from joint conditions such as arthritis because its anti-inflammatory properties can help treat the condition, lessen the inflammation, and provide relief from the pain.
The avocado seed oil has anti-aging properties, thanks to its antioxidants that fight off the free radicals. It can help keep your skin silky smooth, wrinkle free and young looking by boosting your skin’s collagen levels and removing dead skin cells. Avocado seed oil can also treat dull, dry, brittle, and frizzy hair caused by years of chemicals and salon treatments. It can restore your hair’s natural shine and bring it back to life.
People who need to keep a close eye on their sugar will definitely appreciate avocado seed extracts as it helps bring down the body’s blood glucose to a lower level. This is also why avocado seed extracts are highly recommended for diabetics. It does not trigger spikes in the blood sugar that’s why it’s great to have it on your breakfast plate. It’s also recommended for people who want to shed off those stubborn extra pounds.
If you have asthma, you’ll have a deep appreciation for avocado seeds. All you have to do is roast, grate, or drink avocado seeds in tea form so it can help strengthen your lungs. Just a sip of avocado seed tea can help remove the wheezing sound, and give you relief from all the huffing and puffing.
People who practice QiGong Medicine, a form of Chinese medicine, also believe that avocado seeds contain high levels of Qi energy. This is good for people who always feel exhausted, or those who have low energy.
So how do we consume the avocado seed to get the health benefits? No, you don’t need to put the seed in your mouth for obvious reasons: it’s too big and you’ll just end up choking. Put the seed on a platter and set it outside, under the sun until you can see that all the moisture is gone and it’s dry. Place the avocado seed inside a plastic bag after, and then pound it until it’s crushed. Now, get a heavy duty blender, put half of the crushed avocado seed, and then grind it. In case you’re wondering, we’re using only half of the seed because the whole might be too big and too hard for most blenders to grind. Once you see that the avocado seed is already in powder form, put it in a small jar and decide whether you want to drink it as a tea, juice, or a smoothie. You can also add mix it with different types of sauces. If you want to eat the seed, you can slice it and then toast or roast it in an oven. It has a bitter taste so it’s best to mix it with something to cover the bitterness. You can make it a part of your favorite meal by mixing it in the sauce.
Again, think twice before chucking that avocado seed in the trash bin; it contains health benefits that are good for your body.
