Avocado is a pear-shaped fruit that is so much more than a fruit; it can be used to make guacamole dips and can be used to garnish salads, used as wraps, smoothies, and brownies. Avocado has a lot of minerals and vitamins which include lutein (vitamin A), vitamin B, vitamin E, and folate. The good thing about avocado is that it is low in sugar and rich in fiber, which makes one full for a long time. It is also high in monounsaturated fat, a good type of fat that lowers one’s bad cholesterol levels if eaten in moderation. It is advisable to eat avocado in moderation because of its high-calorie content. Persons who have latex allergies are advised to stay away from avocado as one may experience symptoms of latex allergy after consumption. Avocado has over 50 varieties but has three types which are Mexican, Guatemalan and West Indian.
Some Varieties of Avocado
Bacon Avocado
Bacon avocado is usually grown in California and is green in color and oval shaped. It is a seasonal fruit that is usually available from autumn to spring and is wonderfully tasty compared to other varieties of avocado.
Fuerte Avocado
Fuerte avocado has an elongated form and is usually grown in Mexico and Central America. It is easy to peel its skin from the flesh, which is one of the reasons why many would prefer this variety.
Hass Avocado
Hass avocado is considered to be the most famous and best variety of avocado which has an intense flavor and creamy flesh. The U.S.A and Isreal produce Hass avocado which is exported by Isreal to European countries for consumption.
Ettinger Avocado
Ettinger avocado is also a variety of avocado that Israel produces. It has a fine shiny green skin and is usually medium or large in size. This variety of avocado is appropriate for smoothies and blended recipes.
Lula Avocado
Lula avocado is usually grown in South Florida, and it is large, green and glossy. It is pear-shaped and has a high amount of oil; it also has a pleasant taste. Lula avocado trees are known for their cold tolerance which flourishes despite temperatures as low as 19 degrees.
Zutano Avocado
Zutano avocado has a close resemblance with the Fuerte avocado because of its pear shape. It doesn’t change its color from green even when it ripens, however, it is not as creamy as Fuerte avocado. Zutano avocado has low oil content but has a high water content which gives it a slightly watery flavor.
Gwen Avocado
Gwen avocado is related to the popular Hass avocado but is not widely known. It has a round shape and is usually harvested from April to September.
Pinkerton Avocado
Pinkerton avocado resembles the Hass avocado but has green skin, pleasant flavor, and a small sized seed inside the flesh of the fruit. Pinkerton avocado has an elongated pear shape and is quite easy to peel. The oil content is high and the flesh is smooth and creamy. Pinkerton avocado does not ripen on the tree; it is also available from winter to summer and in some cases through to early fall.
Simmons Avocado
Simmons avocado has a leathery, none granular skin which is easy to peel from the flesh when ripe. Simmons avocado can be eaten with salt and pepper and is grown in the U.S.A.
Reed Avocado
Reed avocado is the size of a softball, it is round in shape and is one of the biggest variety of avocado. It has a thick green skin which is pebbled and easy to peel. The flesh is creamy, pale and buttery in flavor. Reed avocado is usually available during summer, early fall and early winter.
Russell Avocado
Russell avocado is quite distinctive because of its gourd-like shape and can be at least 12 inches long. It has a smooth, glossy, thin and leathery skin with a small seed and tasty flesh.
Bernecker Avocado
Bernecker avocado has a light green skin which is smooth. It has a medium sized seed, tasty flesh of good quality and is usually grown in Florida. Bernecker avocado is available from summer to winter.
Health Benefits of Avocado
Nutrition
Avocado fruit is a nutritious fruit that varies in color, sizes, shapes, and texture. It has a lot of nutrients which include folate, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin E, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, iron, phosphorous, vitamin A, vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B3 (niacin). Avocado is low in saturated fat and only contains good fat which is monosaturated fat.
High Potassium Content
The avocado fruit has more potassium than bananas do, which is an important nutrient that helps reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of one having heart failure, heart attacks, kidney failure, and strokes. Potassium aids the maintenance of the body’s electrical gradients.
Rich in Fiber
Fiber is a nutrient that is essential and helpful to people who would like to lose weight and reduce their blood sugar/glucose levels. Fiber fills the stomach quickly and makes one satisfied for a long time.
Reduces Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels
High cholesterol levels can cause several heart diseases. High triglyceride levels can also put one at risk of having heart disease. Eating avocado can lower one’s cholesterol levels, reduce triglyceride levels, reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and increase the good cholesterol (HDL) levels.
High in Antioxidants
Avocado has a high antioxidant content and it also enables the body to absorb antioxidants from other foods consumed. These antioxidants present in avocados are carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin which are antioxidants that improve the health of the eyes. The antioxidants in avocados can reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
Prevents Cancer
This beneficial fruit may be able to prevent one from growing cancer cells; it may also manage the side effects of chemotherapy.
Reduces Arthritis Symptoms
Arthritis is a condition that is quite common among so many people and is not a pleasant experience as the pain can be excruciating. Avocado may have properties that can help reduce the symptoms of arthritis as its oil may have a regenerative effect on the cells of the body.
Low Sugar Content
Avocado has a low sugar content which is good for the body and a good choice of fruit for people who have diabetes. Studies show that avocado can regulate the blood glucose levels of the body.
Improves the Skin Health
Avocado fruits have a high oil content and this oil is great for the skin as it improves the glow of the skin and nourishes it; it also contains healthy fat that is great for the skin. These oils and fat improve the collagen metabolism for the skin which helps it heal faster than usual when injured.
Aids Liver Cleansing
Avocado fruits contain compounds that are glutathione-producing, necessary for cleansing the liver. The liver needs to be cleansed regularly to prevent liver diseases
Final Words…
Avocado fruits are green fruits that are beneficial to the body. They are not only eaten as fruits, but they can also be used to garnish foods and make sandwiches. As beneficial and delicious as avocado fruits are, they are to be eaten in moderation. Remember to share your avocado fruit with others.
