Eating avocados could save your LIFE: Fruit lowers cholesterol and risk of heart disease

AVOCADOS seem to be an ‘it’ food at the moment – health gurus rave about them and Instagram is full of them being served up in trendy cafes.
But the fashionable fruit could actually save your life.
A new study has revealed that as well as aiding weight loss, eating avocados can also reduce a person’s risk of heart disease.

Emiliano Escobedo, executive director from the Hass Avocado Board, in California, said: “This study supports the body of research showing the many benefits that fresh avocados have to offer when consumed in everyday healthy eating plans”.
The new study, published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, established that swapping solid fats for avocados can “significantly change lipid profiles”.

The fashionable fruit could actually save your life Alamy

Experts analysed 10 unique avocado studies using 229 participants.
The scientists then assessed the impact that avocados had on cholesterol levels. Astonishingly, they discovered that consuming one to one-and-a-half avocados a day “significantly reduced total cholesterol”.
It was also found that the consumption of avocados helped to limit 'bad' low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides when they took the place of other fats.
Corresponding study author Dr Sachin Shah went on to say that the results even showed that healthy study subjects showed substantial reductions.
Scientists did note that the optimal intake when it comes to avocados, as well as the frequency, needs further investigation.

Dr Nikki Ford, director of nutrition for Hass Avocado Board, added: “Fresh avocado, as part of a balanced diet, and as a cholesterol-free substitute for solid fats, can help be part of the solution for maintaining normal cholesterol levels.
“Beyond their naturally good fats, avocados are also a delicious way to boost fibre¿ and fruit intakes”.
However, scientists did note that the optimal intake when it comes to avocados, as well as the frequency, needs further investigation.
Emiliano added: “Clinical studies are currently underway to investigate the relationship between avocado consumption and risk factors for heart disease, diabetes, support of weight management and healthy living”.
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