Avocado is a pear-shaped fruit, also known as “Makhanphal” in hindi known for its miraculous health and beauty benefits all over the world. It is also called as butter fruit or alligator pear. Native to Mexico, Guam and Central America, this green, fleshy fruit has been in cultivation since time immemorial. The tree grows to 20 m (66 ft), with alternately arranged leaves 12–25 cm (4.7–9.8 in) long. The pear-shaped fruit is 7–20 cm (2.8–7.9 in) long, weighs between 100 and 1,000 g (3.5 and 35.3 oz), and has a large central seed, 5–6.4 cm (2.0–2.5 in) long.
The fruit is not sweet, but distinctly and subtly flavored, with smooth texture. It is used in both savory and sweet dishes, though in many countries not for both. The avocado is popular in vegetarian cuisine as a substitute for meats in sandwiches and salads because of its high fat content. Avocado is moderate to rich in several B vitamins and vitamin K, with good content of vitamin C, vitamin E and potassium. Avocados also contain phytosterols and carotenoids, such as lutein and zeaxanthin. Here are amazing benefits of avocado.
Avocado benefits for skin,hair and health benefits of avocados
Avocado Health benefits
- Vitamin E
Avocado is rich in Vitamin E, which is an essential antioxidant and also helps in the proper functioning of the body. Vitamin E also protects the polyunsaturated fatty acids from free radicals.
- Avocados for Digestion
This fruit provides a remedy for digestive disorders. It provides comfort to the sensitive surfaces of the stomach.
- Improves Eyesight
Butter fruit contains high fiber and carotenoid lutein, which protects the eyes from cataracts, eye diseases related to age, and vision problems. Its consumption also improves the eyesight.
- Controls Bad Breath
Choose this fruit as a remedy for bad breath. It removes intestinal decomposition that is the actual cause for bad breath.
- Heart Health
Avocados are extremely helpful in maintaining a hearty heart. They are rich in folate – an ingredient essential for a healthy, problem-free heart. The monounsaturated fats, glutathione and vitamin E in the avocado are also very beneficial for the human heart. Not only this, the avocado’s high folate content also makes it an ideal food for preventing stroke.
- Boosts Immunity
Because of high dietary vitamin E, it helps in boosting the immunity of the skin against stress and other environmental hazards.
- Glutathione
Avocado is a rich source of glutathione, an antioxidant important in preventing ageing, cancers, and heart disorders.
- Arthritis
Butter fruit is an excellent food supplement for arthritis along with soya bean. It helps to stimulate cartilage growth. With anti-inflammatory properties, it helps in treating the symptoms of hip and knee osteoarthritis.
- Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties
Butter fruit contains antifungal and antibacterial properties, which would benefit women in menopause. It aids in insomnia, constipation, ulcer and nervous problems. It also helps in restoring any deficiency in your body.
- Regulates Blood Pressure
Avocado contains more potassium and other important minerals than any other fruits and thus helps in lowering the blood pressure level.
- Cancer Fighter
Avocados is also known for its anti-cancerous property. It can be taken as a smart food option to lower the risks of cancer. Regular intake will also reduce the chance of breast and prostate cancer.
- Rich in Proteins
Avocados contains the finest quality of proteins. The proteins they contain are far superior to the proteins of bread or any other cereals. The composition is similar to milk and thus, the fruit in the juice form is safe for children too.
Avocados benefits for skin
- Hydrates And Lightens The Skin Tone
The fruit effectively hydrates dry skin and reduces fine lines on the skin. It offers instant radiance to the skin. This fruit is used in various cosmetic products, such as moisturizers and cleansers. It also controls the itchiness caused by dry skin to a great extent.
- Antioxidants for Healthy Skin
Butter fruit contains antioxidants that help in protecting skin from damage. It improves skin’s complexion and density. Medical and skincare experts especially recommend the consumption of avocados juice to those struggling with dull, lack luster skin. It is also a great natural remedy to relieve dry skin.
- Nourishes Skin
Avocado oil is easily absorbable and helps accelerate the new cell generation and also helps promote the circulation in the body and the skin.
- Fats and Vitamins
Butter fruit is one of the best fruits for a healthy skin. It protects the skin from the bad effects of pollution. Avocado benefits in maintaining water in the skin, which helps in making the skin radiant and glowing.
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- Best Sunscreen
Replace your regular sunscreen lotions with this fruit. It helps in protecting skin from the UVA and UVB harmful rays of the sun. It is also a remedy for removing sun burns and eczema from the skin.
- Reduces Marks and Wrinkles
Avocados works well for wrinkles and age spots. When applied with cocoa butter, it helps in lightening scars and spots and gives a radiant skin tone.
- Prevents Breakouts
The regular intake of avocados effectively controls acne or breakouts in the skin. It, therefore, avocado benefits the skin supple and glowing.
Hair benefits of Avocado
- Shiny Hair
This fruit contains fats, vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids that are essential for beautiful and shiny hair.
- Avocados for Hair Growth
It is known for stimulating hair growth and controlling hair loss. Hair loss occurs when hairs are severely dry and damaged. This fruit is a good remedy for hair loss. As a moisturizer, it improves the hair’s condition to a great extent.
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- Good Conditioner
Butter fruit works as an effective conditioner for dry hair. It is creamy and heavy. Massaging hairs with the butter fruit paste results in soft and healthy looking hair. It effectively conditions damaged and dry hair.
- Rejuvenates Scalp
Avocado oil benefits in rejuvenating and moisturizing the scalp. One can use avocados oil for hair in more than one way as it is an exceptional treatment for revitalizing dry, damaged, lifeless hair. Being a rich source of proteins, amino acids and vitamins, avocado oil benefits in promoting the growth of healthier tresses. One of important avocado benefits.
Beauty treatments using Avocados
Avocado Hand Scrub
Take some mashed avocados in a bowl and add egg white, oats and a little amount of lime juice. Stir the mixture well and massage your hands with the resultant paste. Hold on for 20-25 minutes and wash your hands finally with cold water.
Avocado Body Butter
Take one fully ripped avocado and, after removing its pit and skin, mash it up in a small bowl. Apply the paste onto your skin, paying enough attention to the rough skin areas like knees, heels and elbows and leave it for half an hour and then wash off with cool water.
Avocado Hair Mask
It provides great hair treatment in combination with egg yolk, olive oil and yogurt. It nourishes hair and moisturizes it from the inside out, leaving it rejuvenated and well-revitalized. Take avocado pulp and add some olive oil, yogurt and egg yolk to it. Stir well to get a consistent paste and work it over strands evenly, covering them with a plastic wrap afterwards. Let the mixture sit in hair for almost half an hour and then rinse thoroughly with a mild shampoo normally.
Avocado Facial Cleanser
For making an avocado facial cleanser, take one egg yolk, half cup milk and half avocado. First of all, beat the egg until it is frothy and then add mashed avocado and milk to it. Stir the concoction to get a lotion-like consistency. Use the resultant mixture to cleanse your face regularly. It removes the harmful toxins from your skin and leaves it looking younger and radiant.
Avocado Moisturizing Mask
Take two fully ripped avocados and mash them after pitting and peeling. Now, add yogurt and honey to it and stir well. Apply the paste over your face and leave it on for almost fifteen minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Moisturizing Eye Mask
Avocado moisturizing eye mask is the best for relieving eye dehydration and irritation. Just mash a fully ripped avocado and combine it with aloe vera gel. Stir well and spread evenly on pre-cleansed under eye skin. Let it sit virtually for ten minutes and then wipe away. Splash cold water over your face finally.
Ways to have Avocado in diet (avocados recipes)
Avocado dip
Ingredients:
2 avocados
1/4 cup deseeded and finely chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp finely chopped onions
1 tsp finely chopped garlic
1 tbsp finely chopped coriander
1 tsp finely chopped green chillies
1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh cream
salt to taste
Method:
- Cut each avocados in halves. Remove the seed and scoop out the center portion.
- Transfer the mixture into a bowl and mash well using a fork or a masher.
- Add all the remaining ingredients, mix well and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and serve chilled with nacho chips.
Avocado smoothie
Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado , halved and pitted
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
3 tbsp honey
8 ice cubes
Method:
- Combine the avocado, milk, yogurt, honey, and ice cubes in a blender and blend until smooth.