Do you want a healthy body? Eat avocado everyday

Apr 27, 2008

AVOCADO is believed to have originated from Mexico. The word “avocado” comes from the Spanish word aguacate (testicle) because of the shape of the fruit.

By Sarah Ulotu

AVOCADO is believed to have originated from Mexico. The word “avocado” comes from the Spanish word aguacate (testicle) because of the shape of the fruit.

The name “avocado” or alligator pear is sometimes used to refer to the fruit.
Avocado is usually brown, green or black.

According to the Wikepedia website, the tree produces about 120 fruits annually and takes two-five months to bear its first fruit.

Nelly Birungi, a nutritionist at Mulago Hospital, says avocado contains about 35 grammes of mono-unsaturated fat commonly known as the “good” fat. “A medium-size avocado contains 14 minerals to stimulate growth.

These include iron and copper, which aid the formation of blood,” Birungi says.
Avocado has fatty acids such as linolieic, an essential fat acid that the body needs for growth.

“All internal organs are surrounded by fat which works as a protective material that cushions the organs against shock.

For example, the skin has a fatty layer beneath it, which regulates the body temperature and leaves the skin looking healthy. If one does not have enough of the fat, the skin looks rugged,” Birungi says.

Fat also plays a major role of transporting and absorbing fat soluble vitamins like vitamins A, E, D, B and K.

“If you eat food that contains only vitamins, but lacks fat, the vitamins will not be absorbed in your body,” says Birungi.

She adds that Vitamin A also improves appetite, especially for children. Vitamin A is essential for the growth of children. The low sugar and absence of starch in avocado also makes it ideal for diabetics.

Avocado contains magnesium, sodium and 60% more potassium compared to other fruits. The sodium and potassium keep the body chemically balanced and regulate fluid movement in and out of the cells.

If we do not have potassium in our body, the fluids in and around our cells will not move in their general direction. When this happens, the body starts to swell. Avocado’s smooth and creamy consistency makes it one of the fresh fruits a baby can savor.

“But it should not be fed to less than six-month-old babies, for such babies should only be breastfed for better growth” warns the nutritionist.

The fruit is good for the skin even if used naturally since it can work as a cleanser and moisturiser. It works best after someone has been in the sun for a long time and the face is dirty and dry or on red, itchy and irritated skin caused by eczema.

Some of the shampoos, creams and lotions that we use for our skin and hair contain avocado. For lustrous hair, mash an avocado, rub it in your hair and leave for five to 10 minutes, then rinse.

Avocado is also good for people with high blood pressure and those trying to lose weight.

According to Wikepedia: “Avocado leaves have a variety of uses.” They are applied as poultices to wounds. After heating, place them on the forehead to relieve neuralgia.

Leaf juices and concoctions are also employed as antibiotics, treatment for diarrhoea, sore throat, and menstrual cramps.

When roasted, avocado seeds can be used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery. When crushed, they can be used to treat dandruff.

If placed in tooth cavities, avocado seeds work as a toothache pain reliever.

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