The traditional saying encouraged us to grab an apple a day and more recently a digestive health expert suggested the humble onion maybe more beneficial, especially in terms of our supporting gut bacteria and immune system, however, the avocado is the shining star of some recent health research.
As we age a number of nutrients including monounsaturated fats and antioxidants become increasingly important to help protect our cells against damage and prevent the loss of function.
Cognitive health or eye sight are too common aspects of health that are particularly vulnerable to degeneration and cause many people concern. It turns out that an avocado a day might just be the sight for sore eyes (sorry!) or the building blocks of healthy memory function that your neurons have been after.
A randomised controlled trial (the gold standard of scientific studies) took a group of healthy adults, over 50 and ask them to consume one medium avocado a day whilst the control groups were given either a potato or cup of chickpeas, devoid of the healthy fats.
The study observed that daily consumption of an avocado helped to improve cognitive function and eye sight in older adults by increasing lutein levels (by around 25%) in both the eyes and brain.
Lutein is a carotenoid found in fruits and vegetables that has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
You can read the study HERE.
Then head off and whip up a one of our Cocoa Avocado Delight’s HERE.
