IT’S avocado pear season in Jamaica and many Jamaicans are in their element. In fact, avocado has a taste and flavour that many people love, and according to nutritionist and fitness expert Donovan Grant, avocado is a super food with many essential nutrients.

“The high nutrient content of avocado to your daily diet can definitely help to prevent, control and reduce many diseases and disorders. Avocados are very good for lowering cholesterol. Keeping your cholesterol level within the health range is very important for your overall health,” Grant said.

Grant told All Woman that avocados are packed with healthy fats which help to keep bad fats at a low level.

“Avocados also contain lots of monosaturated fats which help to boost healthy cholesterol and reduce bad cholesterol. It is therefore very important to keep the cholesterol level in the health range to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke,” he said.

He said avocados also contain powerful anti-inflammatory substances which can help to reduce arthritis symptoms.

“It helps with reducing the inflammation in the joints which can definitely reduce stiffness and pain at the joints,” he said.

He said avocados also contain carotenoids, which are very important in protecting the eyes against certain eye diseases.

Avocados are also very rich in Vitamin C and Omega 3 fatty acids.

“These nutrients are critical for brain health and also keep the areas of the brain involved in critical thinking and decision making healthy and nourished. Avocados are also important in nutrient absorption. Many of the vitamins we need are fat-soluble vitamins. Avocados have lots of healthy fats which aid the process,” he said.

Grant further added that avocados are also very important in weight loss and maintaining the body at a healthy weight. “Avocados are loaded with fibre and monosaturated fats. The fibre will help you to feel full over longer periods, and the monosaturated fats are not usually stored in the body as fat,” he pointed out.

Grant also stated that high blood pressure is one of the most common health problems in the world, and one nutrient that plays a crucial role in blood pressure is potassium, which avocados are loaded with.

“They are loaded with potassium even more than bananas. Therefore, it helps to keep blood pressure in the normal range,” he said, adding that avocados include 20 different types of minerals and vitamins such as high levels of B6 and Vitamin C, which are important for the immune system, and the health of body cells and tissues.

Additionally Grant said avocados can help to maintain a healthy pregnancy.

“When you are pregnant you want foods that are healthy for you and your baby. One crucial substance for foetal health is folate, and an avocado is loaded with folate,” he said.

— Kimberley Hibbert