Forget an apple a day. If you want to stay healthy, you’re better off introducing a daily avocado into your diet. You may not think it by looking at them, but avocados are one of nature’s little miracle foods. Not only are they delicious and packed full of nutrients, they can also save you money on moisturiser and hair conditioner too.

For years, many of us avoided avocados because they’re high in fat. But if you’re still avoiding them because of some misguided, left-over-from-the-80s belief that they’ll make you chunky, you’re barking up the wrong tree. The fat in avocados is monounsaturated, which is the kind specialists recommend we should be eating more often. Also found in olive oil, monounsaturated fat has been shown to not only help lower blood pressure, but also boost heart health.

These little green gems can do so much to help keep us healthy, they’re simply too good to pass up. If you’re not convinced, here are five more reasons why you need to add them to your shopping list:

They’re full of nutrients

Avocados contain an amazing 20 vitamins and minerals, including a quarter of your daily Vitamin C, which plays an essential role in the growth and repair of body tissue. On top of that, avocado is filled with Vitamin B-6, which helps your body fight off infection.

They help you absorb other nutrients

Some nutrients are ‘fat soluble,’ meaning they need to be combined with fat to be absorbed into the body. These include vitamins A, D, E and K, along with antioxidants like carotenoids. Because of its fat content, avocado acts as a nutrient booster by helping the body absorb the fat-soluble nutrients from the foods that you eat with the fruit.

This is an excellent reason to include a healthy fat source when you eat veggies. Without it, a lot of the beneficial nutrients will go to waste.

Healthy skin, eyes and hair

Avocados are a high-antioxidant food that contains lutein, a carotenoid that protects eye health and preserves healthy, youthful looking skin and hair. Carotenoids are antioxidant phytochemicals that are found in veggies like carrots, squash and sweet potatoes. They’re known for blocking the effects of environmental toxins like pollution and UV light damage. Yum.

Tip: To promote a healthy, shining complexion, mix avocado oil with some therapeutic essential oils and you’ve got your own natural moisturiser, rather than forking out for that store-bought stuff filled with irritating chemicals.

Avocado can also be used to make a homemade hair mask, to replenish, moisture and add shine.

Better digestive health

Avocados are one of the best fruit sources of fibre. Depending on the size of the avocado, one whole fruit has between 11–17 grams of fibre. That’s more than nearly any other fruit and most servings of vegetables, grains and beans too.

High-fibre foods are important for anyone with digestive tract issue because fibre helps shift the balance of bacteria in the gut, increasing healthy bacteria while decreasing the unhealthy bacteria that can be the root of nasty digestive disorders. Fibre also helps add bulk to stool, making it easier to go to the loo. It also helps pull waste and toxins through the intestines and colon.

They can help you lose weight

Who would have thought that eating fat can help you lose weight? Avocados can, as they’re high in fat and fibre, which both help you feel fuller and more satisfied after eating. This is because fat and fibre slow down the release of food from your stomach.

The bottom line

With all these great benefits, it’s no wonder avocados are such a popular choice for a healthy diet. And they have the added bonus of being tasty, natural and versatile. If you haven’t tried it yet, smashed avocado on wholemeal toast with a sprinkle of cumin powder on top is a delicious way to start the day.

Why not follow breakfast with a soothing facial or massage at Castle Thai Spa? Call us on 0131 629 0794 to book one today.