The Best Detox Foods: Day 4: Avocados

GO ON, HAVE AN AVO!

Today’s food is perhaps the most versatile of the bunch and after decades of getting a bad wrap due to it’s high (good) fat content it’s finally getting it’s moment to shine.

As we hit Day 4 of detox week you should now have a pretty extensive detox kit forming to help combat any damage done over the last few weeks. If you haven’t done so yet, make sure you check out our feature on Beetroot, Greens and Ginger.

Avocados, aside from being insanely delicious, are full to the brim with nutrients and healthy fats. Their detoxification properties come down to the following important attributes.

RICH IN ANTIOXIDANT

Aside from fighting cardiovascular diseases and protecting against cancer, antioxidants play an important role in the natural detoxification of the body.

HIGH IN INSOLUBLE AND SOLUBLE FIBRE

Avos are a great form of both of the fibres because they also happen to be very gentle on the gut which makes them ideal for gently cleansing the colon and carrying toxins out of the body.

FULL OF GOOD FAT

Most vitamins are fat soluble so unless you consume them with healthy fats your body won’t actually absorb them. The fat in avocados also helps to lower bad cholesterol and strengthens the heart.

RESTORES LIVER CELLS

Perhaps avocados most redeeming quality during a detox is it’s ability to restore liver cells, and this is why you will often find it used in a liver cleansing diet.

The health benefits don’t stop there…

THEY CONTAIN MORE POTASSIUM THAN BANANAS

Most people don’t get enough potassium in their diets and avocados are considered one of the highest potassium foods, which means they’re great for reducing blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes and kidney failures.

THEY’RE FULL OF VITAMINS AND MINERALS

Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, E, K, folate, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, zinc and phosphorus. And because of their high fat content (as mentioned above) all of these nutrients are easily assimilated. Yeew!

THEY’RE GOOD FOR YOUR PEEPERS

Due to high levels of the antioxidants Lutein and Zeaxanthin avocados are particularly good for eye health and lower the risk of mascular degeneration and cataracts.

PEOPLE WHO EAT AVOS TEND TO BE HEALTHIER

Well so says a study that looked at the dietary habits of people who eat avocados.
They found that people who ate avocados regularly had a higher nutrient intake, were half as likely to have metabolic syndrome, weighed less, had a lower BMI and significantly less body fat.

All sounds pretty good to us!