I love avocados and I make sure that I take at least one daily. This creamy and green fruit can be enjoyed with almost anything. Half an avocado goes into my morning smoothie and the other half into my dinnertime salad. Then I love nachos. I enjoy my homemade guacamole.
I was also like most others – I too used to put the avocado seed in the dustbin. But avocado seeds are amazingly great. They are great for your health and have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years.
Busting Avocado Seed Myth
There are some who think that there’s something toxic about fruit seeds. There are plums, cherries, and apricots on one end of the story. Their seeds have cyanide, a toxic compound, and if taken in large amounts the seeds could cause dizziness, vomiting, and even death.
But avocado seeds are safe. They have a compound known as tannins, which is only mildly toxic. You would have to eat so many before you could even get the tiniest negative health effect.
According to a study (conducted in 2013, published in – Scientific World Journal), the researchers came to the conclusion that avocado seed extract is safe. No toxicity was found.
Health Benefits of Avocado Seeds
Avocados are well known for their high amounts of healthy fats, vitamin B, and folate. Even avocado seeds are full of nutrients. The seeds are rich in bioactive phytochemicals. The main nutrients include:
- Triterpenes
- Fatty acids
- Glucosides (from abscisic acid)
- Phytosterols
In fact, its seeds contain around 70 percent of the antioxidant content in avocados. The phytochemicals (antioxidants) found in avocado seeds include flavonols and proanthocyanidins. The seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
Avocado seeds have antifungal, antimicrobial, larvicidal, antibiotic, insecticidal, amoebicidal, hypolipidemic, giardicidal, and antihypertensive benefits. There are many other health benefits associated with taking these seeds.
1. Anti-Cancer Properties
Avocado seeds have anti-tumor benefits, because of the powerful antioxidants known as flavonols. According to a study (conducted in 2013 at the University of Antioquia, Columbia and published – Pharmaceutical Biology), avocado fruit and seed extract stimulated the self-destruction of leukemia cells.
According to a current study (published – Cancer Research), it was found that avocation B, a chemical found in avocado seed extract was beneficial in fighting acute myeloid leukemia cells. This study involved the testing of more than 800 natural health products for their action against acute myeloid leukemia cells.
2. Benefits against Heart Disease
A study (2012) published in Plant Foods for Human Nutrition showed that avocado seed flour helped in reducing LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) and overall cholesterol in mice. The research also found that avocado seeds can also protect against arterial plaque formation.
Avocado seeds contain dietary fiber which is connected to lower cholesterol. This fiber attaches to the cholesterol within the intestinal track and prevents its absorption. According to another research, avocado seeds have been found to be beneficial in improving both hypertension and high levels of cholesterol. It has also been found to be beneficial in fighting diabetes and inflammation.
3. Benefits for Digestive System
Consuming avocado seeds can also help improve your digestive system. It was used by the South Americans to treat gastric ulcers, acute diarrhea, severe diarrhea (dysentery), and many other digestive issues. The seed contains fiber and antioxidants which are great for digestion.
4. Boosting Immune System
When you have a powerful immune system, it helps in preventing diseases. Both the seeds and skin of avocado have high amounts of antioxidants like catechins and procyanidins. Their anti-inflammatory benefits will help in reducing swelling, stiffness, diseases, and joint pain. Their anti-inflammatory benefits are also beneficial in boosting your immune system, thus preventing cold and flu.
According to an in-vitro study (published – Revista de Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical, 2009), the antibiotic and antifungal benefits of the avocado seed extract can be helpful in inhibiting harmful pathogens like candida and various fungi. Weak immunity is one of the main causes of candida and fungal infections.
5. Reducing Wrinkles
According to researches, avocado seed oil has been found to be helpful in increasing collagen in our skin. This helps in reducing the chances of wrinkles. The seed oil is also beneficial in treating acne flare-ups.
Extracting Avocado Seed
Use the following steps for removing the avocado seed:
- Slice the avocado around its pit so that you can cleanly remove its seed.
- Insert the knife’s tip within the pit and twist and then pull gently.
- Remove the seed of the knife.
- Place the seed in a plastic bag and use a hammer to crush it. You can also use any other blunt thing.
- Mix the crushed seed along with other smoothie ingredients like banana, dates, and dark leafy greens such as spinach. There’s no need to crush the seed if you have a high-power blender. Make sure to add some water.
Recipe – The Best Avocado Seed Green Smoothie
You will need the following ingredients:
- Avocado seed – Half
- Avocado – Half
- Almond milk/water – 1 cup
- Ripe pear – 1
- Organic spinach – 1 cup
- Apple – Half
- Grated ginger – 1 small piece
How to Prepare?
Crush the avocado seed and blend all these ingredients to get a smooth consistency. You will have your avocado seed green goddess smoothie ready in no time.
Here is another green smoothie recipe for you. It also has red leaf lettuce and flaxseed:
Ingredients:
- Avocado seed – Half
- Ripe pear – 1
- Almond milk/water – 2-1/2 water
- Ripe mango – 1/2 – 3/4
- Flaxseed (ground) – 3 tbsp
- Red leaf lettuce – 3/4 of one head
How to Prepare?
Small the avocado seed and put it in the blender to get a smooth consistency.
Additional Uses of Avocado Seeds
Avocado seeds offer many other benefits in addition to adding making your smoothie highly nutritious. They can be used for many other things:
- Save your Guacamole: Don’t allow the guacamole from getting bad in the fridge by keeping avocado seeds in the dip.
- Tea: You can make wonderful tea using avocado tea. Boil it for half an hour.
- Facemask Exfoliator: You could also make a wonderful facemask exfoliator using avocado seed. Dry them, grind them and add to your facemask recipe.
- Avocado Plant: Avocado seeds can also be used for growing decorative houseplants.
- As a Great Natural Food Additive: avocado seeds are considered healthy food additives because of their antioxidant phytochemicals. According to a 2011 study (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry), it was found that avocado seeds can be beneficial in preventing food spoilage because of their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
Via Womans Day
