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The debate surrounding cooking oils is overwhelming. The conflicting advice regarding what is healthy and what is not has made the decision of choosing the right oil for your kitchen challenging. While olive oil seems to be at the center of every healthy oil debate, there's another contender that you should be paying closer attention to: avocado oil. Avocado oil is emerging as a favorite of longevity experts and health-conscious people because it contains heart-healthy fats, antioxidants, and has a high smoke point.
Going beyond its delicious flavor and multiple uses in the kitchen, there are several reasons why avocado oil deserves a prized place in your pantry.
Cooking oils are more than a culinary staple-they are foundational to our health. The fats in cooking oils play a central role in brain function and cellular health. They provide essential fatty acids but also influence the structure and function of our cells. Your brain, for example, is about 60% fat, and the fats you consume directly impact its composition. Similarly, your cell membranes are half fat. Their quality relies on the type of fats that you consume through your diet.
Your brain is comprised of about 60% of fat. That means the types of fats that you consume dictate the composition. Avocado oil, rich in monounsaturated fats, keeps your cognitive system, memory, and mood all healthy.
Every cell in your body is covered by a membrane made of fats. The quality of the fats determines the efficiency of cell function and its resistance to inflammation, which is a major promoter of chronic diseases.
Avocado oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, which are known to help reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL). In a review published in Molecules, the authors discovered substituting avocado oil for butter improves cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and even insulin sensitivity.
But that's not all - its monounsaturated fats aid in regulating blood pressure, keeping heart disease at bay-a major cause of mortality on Earth.
Avocado oil is rich in antioxidants that neutralize free radicals, reducing inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation has been linked to a host of illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The Molecules review also pointed out how avocado oil reduced markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, promoting overall well-being.
Rich in lutein, this carotenoid with antioxidant capacity, avocado oil protects your eyes from age-related conditions. As found in one study in the journal Nutrients, older adults who consumed avocados for a period reported a 25% increase in lutein levels, maintaining eye health while reducing the threat of diseases, such as macular degeneration.
4. Brain Function Support
Healthy fats in avocado oil increase blood flow to the brain, ensuring that all required oxygen and nutrients reach the organ for optimal performance. Some antioxidants in the oil also protect the brain from oxidative stress. A study on Nutrients published that increased levels of lutein in the brain improve cognitive functions, such as memory and problem-solving skills of elderly people.
Avocado oil has healthy fats, which help in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K. It also aids in the absorption of carotenoids like lutein. The nutrients are essential to the body, ensuring overall health and longevity.
Avocado oil has a smoke point of 520°F, making it ideal for high-heat cooking. Unlike many other oils, it does not break down into unhealthy compounds when heated, thus keeping your food healthy and tasty.
When purchasing avocado oil, knowing what to look for in the labels is very important:
Extra-Virgin: It comes from the best fruits without heat or chemicals, keeping more antioxidants and its vibrant green color.
Virgin: Refined from not quite as high-quality fruit, but otherwise identical to extra-virgin oil.
Pure: Usually bleached and deodorized, has a neutral flavor and less antioxidant content.
Avocado oil is the science-backed, nutrient-dense product with proven support of longevity. For longevity, for heart health and brain health, to reduce inflammation, and more, the perks are far and wide.
It makes the simple change of using avocado oil elevate the meal, which in turn, is an investment in your long-term health and well-being. From sautéing vegetables to homemade salad dressing, avocado oil can be your perfect companion in this journey to live better, longer.
Experts concentrate not only on living longer but also on living better. Common culprits of many diseases that occur because of aging are chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and poor absorption of nutrients. Avocado oil is holistic. It supports both cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and nutrient absorption for a greater quality of life with age.
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