Tag: Avocado

Avocado seed decoctions are popular in South American cultures to treat diabetes, diarrhea, kidney stones, and even snakebite. Add the antioxidant-rich seed powder to your smoothie to lower BP and cholesterol, manage diabetes, and protect kidney and liver tissues. Start with 1/2 tsp and limit daily consumption to half a seed. Apply the seed paste on your skin to prevent UV damage and to cure fungal infections.

All parts of the avocado fruit and the tree contain persin, a chemical toxic to cows, horses, birds, cats, dogs, rabbits, or fish. While its effects vary for different animals, it generally induces nausea; digestive problems; edema, or fluid accumulation in various tissues and cavities in the body; heart, lungs, and kidney problems; and even coma. As the lethal dose isn't known, stop giving the fruit to your pets altogether.

A typical avocado contains: fatty acids that show anti-cancer effects, lower cholesterol, and protect your heart and liver; a sugar that regulates blood sugar; carbs that are actually 79% fibers and prevent heart disease, reduce inflammation, and regulate appetite; vitamins that help everything from immunity to healthy pregnancy; and plant chemicals like carotenoids that help the body absorb antioxidants.

Hundreds of types of avocados, originally from West India, Guatemala, or Mexico, or their hybrids, are cultivated in America. While the Guatemalan x West Indian hybrids dominate Florida, the Guatemalan x Mexican hybrids dominate California. Of the many cultivars, Hass, with an 18–22 percent oil content, is the best, closely followed by the Fuerte variety that has a rich flavor and contains 12–17 percent oil.

Because it has 63% oleic acid, avocado pulp or oil, when applied topically, eases inflammation, heals wounds, and helps cell regeneration. It can even heal psoriasis or eczema. Its fatty alcohol and vits C and E check UV damage and skin cancer and help repair DNA. With its antioxidants fighting free radical damage and vits, fats, and plant chemicals fortifying the skin's collagen, avocados keep your skin supple and youthful.

When exposed to the air, cut avocados get oxidized rapidly thanks to an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase (PPO). Keep cut avocado fresh for 5 days by refrigerating it at 5 ºC. You could even store it with chopped onions which emit sulfur dioxide that curbs PPO activity. To keep it for 2 days, refrigerate after dabbing lemon juice on it. If you need to store cut avocado for just a day, plastic-wrap it or put it in an airtight container in the fridge to cut off air contact.

Latex-sensitive people are prone to avocado allergy, which causes stomach ache and nausea. Avocado can set off oral allergy symptoms like itching, tingling, and swelling of the lips, mouth, and throat, even make you choke. Its histamines cause hives, itching, and patches of eczema. Cook the fruit to destroy the allergen. Drink water, sugarcane juice, and tomato soup with ginger and lemon to alleviate the symptoms.

In 40% of the cases, stomach pain and nausea after eating avocados is due to latex-fruit syndrome, an allergy that makes people who are allergic to latex sensitive to avocado. Avocado fiber and sugars (polyols) can cause stomach ache in people who have low fiber tolerance or can't digest fruit sugars. Chemicals like amines, glutamates, and salicylate in the ripe fruit are also potential stomach irritants.

Though discovered by the Spanish only in the 15th century, avocado was used by the Mesoamericans since 5000 BC. This aphrodisiac fruit from south Central Mexico was used by the Incas in Peru and sold in Mexican markets. The Mayan civil calendar glyphs attest to its prehispanic origins. Then called "aguacate," it got its present name in Sloane's 1696 catalog of Jamaican plants.

Watermelon And Cucumber Mint Salad: Mix 2 cups diced watermelon, 1 diced cucumber, ¼ sliced red onion, 4 tbsp mint, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, and salt and pepper (to taste). Cilantro Guacamole: Blend 3 haas avocados (scooped from skin), 3 tbsp coconut cream, 1 small onion, 1 small clove of garlic, and juice of 1 lime. Garnish with a handful of cilantro.

Try these low-carb snacks guilt-free. Consume hard boiled eggs, kale chips, carrot sticks, nuts, air-popped popcorn, meatballs, chicken wings, avocado, peanut butter; roasted chickpeas, guacamole, tuna, and beef jerky. You can also combine broccoli with melted cheese, bananas with melted dark chocolate, pears with cheese and strawberries dipped in Greek yoghurt.

Beans Mix: In a processor, mildly blend 1 cup cannellini beans, 4 basil leaves, 4 pimentos-stuffed olives, 1/4 tsp sea salt, 2 tbsp olive oil. Eggs Mix: 2 mashed boiled eggs, 1 diced green onion, 1 tbsp chopped dill, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp dry mustard, 1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar. Salmon Mix: 1 tin salmon, 1 tbsp sliced dill, 1 diced celery stalk, 1 sliced green onion, mayonnaise.

Avocados are rich in nutrients, fatty acids, and plant sterols. They contain healthy fats, making them good for weight management. The plant sterols promote the production of estrogen in women and testosterone in men and also maintain the right progesterone balance in women. They also inhibit both synthesis and release of insulin, keeping it within healthy limits.

Simple daily exercises like walking and jogging (20-30 mins) can boost muscle mass and strength. Avoid alcohol and processed foods. Add zinc-rich oysters and Vit B6 rich avocados to your diet to boost testosterone levels. Ginger tea is a good home remedy for treating joint pains during andropause. Keep stress levels low as it imbalances testosterone levels.

Metabolic syndrome is a group of factors that raise your risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Avocados contain monounsaturated fats, that help reduce LDL and increase HDL cholesterol. They also contain natural phytosterols, dietary fiber, magnesium and potassium that help lower secondary cholesterol and reduce risk of metabolic syndrome.