There are good foods, there are great foods and then there are superfoods. Delicious, buttery Hass avocados are one of the most delicious and versatile of the superfoods. Most people eat avocados raw, simply sliced with a little lemon juice or a dab of mayonnaise or turned into America’s healthiest dip, guacamole. These rather strange-looking fruits are so delicious that it’s rather surprising that they’re such a healthy food.
The Ancient Avocado
It’s believed that avocados originated in the Mexican state of Puebla. Avocados are an ancient fruit. Fossil records indicate that millions of years ago a similar species grew as far south as Peru and as far north as California, when the climate was more hospitable. Archaeologists have found evidence that ancient peoples in Central and South America were cultivating avocados as early as 5,000 BC. A water jar crafted to look like an avocado was dated to 900 AD, found in a pre-Incan city in Peru.
Europeans first wrote about avocados in 1519. Avocado-lovers have since brought the trees to Indonesia, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, the Mideast and other regions with suitable climates. Today, Bulk Organic Avocados in Carpinteria CA are shipped to health-conscious avocado aficionados.
The Health Benefits of Avocados
There are about 500 different avocado varieties, but the most popular by far is the Hass. These are the smaller, greenish-black fruits grown in California and commonly found in supermarkets. A larger, bright green West Indian variety grows in Florida. The Hass avocados have more of that unique buttery flavor.
The only other food with as much heart-healthy monounsaturated fat is the olive. This fat, oleic acid, helps to lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation and is believed to help fight cancer.
- Avocados are very rich in nutrients.
- They are low-carb, with 9 grams of carbs, but 7 grams are fiber, so the net is only 2 carb grams.
- Studies have found that eating avocados can lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
- The fat in avocados helps people to absorb more nutrients from plant foods.
- Antioxidants in avocados help to protect the eyes.
- Extracts from avocados can help to relieve the symptoms of arthritis.
- Avocados are a great weight-loss food.
AvoGanic grows Bulk Organic Avocados in Carpinteria CA. A shipment of freshly-picked avocados will be far superior to typical supermarket avocados which are normally several weeks older. Taste the difference!