Avocado reduces birth defects

For many expectant mothers, avocado is a wonder fruit to because it offers nearly 20 vitamins and minerals in every serving, including potassium, lutein, folate, B vitamins, which help fight infection as well as vitamins C and E, plus natural plant chemicals that may help prevent cancer.

According to Fausta Akech a nutritionist at Healthy U, for pregnant women, avocado is an important food due to its high concentration of folate (folic acid). The folate is crucial for cell repair and it prevents birth defects such as spina bifida and heart defects.

Doctors advise women to get high amounts of folate both before they conceive and during pregnancy to ward off congenital defects in their unborn children.

“It also contains vitamin K that benefits pregnant women and their unborn babies. Vitamin K deficiency in the blood causes a condition where newborn babies cannot stop bleeding. This problem is usually passed on from the mother to the new born if they had deficiency,” she says.

Many people do not get enough potassium in their diet which leads to deficiency manifested in high blood pressure. Avocado is good for normal blood pressure and lowers risk of kidney failure as well as heart disease because it contains potassium.

Akech says, “Additionally, the vitamin E found in avocado lowers cholesterol oxidation that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. It may also provide some protection from nerve damage in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy.”

She adds, “Oleic acid and dietary fibre contained in avocados help normalise blood sugar levels, providing further benefits for heart health and lowering the risk of diabetes.”

Avocado also contains vitamin C for strengthening blood vessels and capillaries and improving immune function.

Skin benefits
The monounsaturated fats in avocado are beneficial for improving your skin tone and appearance. They are vital for maintaining good moisture levels in the epidermal layer of your skin that make it look and feel soft and healthy.