Avocados are often considered a superfood. They are packed with healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, which make them an important staple to your diet. Whether you eat them with your breakfast, lunch, dinner or mash them into a delicious guacamole snack, there are six vital reasons you need to add avocados to your diet:

1. Avocados Improve Heart Health

Avocados are able to balance blood lipids due to the fatty acids they contain. The healthy fruit ismade up of about 71% monounsaturated fatty acids, 13% polyunsaturated fatty acids and 16% saturated fatty acids. Diets that contain a high amount of healthy fats have been shown to prevent the hardening of the arteries.

2. Avocados Promote Healthy Skin, Hair And Eyes

Thanks to the monounsaturated fats and the fat-soluble vitamins that avocados contain, they help promote glowing skin, clear eyes and shiny hair. Avocado is arguably one of nature’s best moisturizer. It contains lutein, a carotenoid that protects eye health and preserves youthful looking skin and healthy hair.

3. Avocados Help Fight Cancer

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Cancer found that the phytochemicals in avocados are powerful enough to possible prevent the use of chemotherapy in peoplesuffering from oral cancer. Further research showed that the phytochemicals in avocados help inhibit cancer cell growth. The carotenoid antioxidants in avocados are also beneficial for preventing skin cancer.

4. Avocados Help With Weight Loss

Diets low in carbohydrates and high in healthy fats have been shown to accelerate weight loss. Avocados increase satiety hormones, which causes you to feel fuller longer and helps reduce overeating. The monounsaturated fatty acids in avocados have also been shown to help reduce sugar addiction, which can aid in weight loss.

5. Avocados Promote Digestive Health

High-fiber foods are important for a healthy digestive tract. One whole avocado contains between 11 and 17 grams of fiber, which is more than nearly any other fruit! Fiver helps increase healthy bacteria in the gut while decreasing unhealthy bacteria that can cause digestive problems.

6. Avocados Help Balance Hormone Levels

The fatty acids in avocados are a key part of regulating the functions of the central nervous system. They help naturally balance hormone levels for better moods, increased fertility and clearer cognitive function. Studies have shown that monounsaturated fatty acids, found in avocados, may help lower depression, anxiety and other mental disorder risks.

How To Grow Your Own Avocados

You can find two types of avocados in your local supermarket: the California avocado and the Florida avocado. If you want to get a little creative, you can also grow your own avocado tree at home! AvoSeedo is a small plastic bowl with a space especially made for an avocado pit. After inserting the seed, you place the AvoSeedo in a large pot filled with water. You can watch as AvoSeedo remains at the surface of the water and the avocado pit grows into a tree for fresh avocado any time you want it!