Considering avocado oil for your health or beauty routine? This guide explores the benefits of avocado oil, from heart and eye health to skincare, plus potential side effects.
Okay, so you’ve probably heard whispers about avocado oil, right? Is it just another hyped-up health fad, or is there really something to it?
We’re going to dive deep into the benefits of avocado oil, exploring its potential for your health and beauty routine. Stay tuned, ‘cause it’s about to get real interesting.
- Benefits of Avocado Oil
- Avocado Oil Rich in Healthy Fats
- Lowering Cholesterol & Improving Heart Health
- Avocado Oil Beneficial for Eye Health
- Enhancing Nutrient Absorption
- Reducing Symptoms of Arthritis
- Reducing the Risk of Gum Inflammation
- Improving Skin Health & Accelerating Wound Healing
- Possible Side Effects of Avocado Oil
It may not be as famous as olive oil or coconut oil, but avocado oil packs a serious punch when it comes to health and beauty perks. Let’s unpack some of the biggest reasons why you might want to add this oil to your daily life.
Benefits of Avocado Oil
The health and beauty benefits of avocado oil are numerous, so let’s explore them:
1. Avocado Oil Rich in Healthy Fats
Avocado oil, extracted from the pulp of the avocado fruit, is comprised mainly of oleic acid, clocking in at around 70%. It’s a monounsaturated fatty acid, and here’s why that’s a good thing:
- It’s a type of fat that’s known to be good for your heart health.
- Oleic acid is the same beneficial fat found in olive oil. Researchers believe it’s largely responsible for olive oil’s amazing benefits.
Avocado oil also contains about 12% saturated fats and 13% polyunsaturated fats.
2. Lowering Cholesterol & Improving Heart Health
Numerous studies have pointed out the benefits of avocado oil for heart health and here’s the skinny:
- One study, conducted on rabbits, found that avocado oil helped reduce bad cholesterol levels in the blood, even outperforming other healthy oils like coconut, olive, and corn oil. Furthermore, olive and avocado oils were the most effective at increasing good cholesterol levels in the body.
- Another study on chickens showed that avocado oil could lower total cholesterol levels as well as triglyceride levels in the blood.
3. Avocado Oil Beneficial for Eye Health
Avocado oil is a fantastic source of lutein, a type of carotenoid that’s naturally found in your eyes. It’s also an antioxidant, making it a powerful nutrient for eye health.
Higher intakes of lutein are linked to a reduced risk of developing age-related eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration.
Now, here’s the thing: your body doesn’t produce lutein on its own. You gotta get it from your diet.
4. Enhancing Nutrient Absorption
Certain nutrients need fat to be properly absorbed by the body. That means you need to pair them with fats so your body can actually use ‘em effectively. Carotenoids, for example, need fat to be absorbed properly.
Turns out a small study found that adding avocado oil to a salad loaded with carrots, romaine lettuce, and spinach increased the absorption of carotenoids significantly. This is awesome because those are some seriously healthy veggies.
5. Reducing Symptoms of Arthritis
Arthritis is super common, and it can be a real pain, literally. Osteoarthritis is actually the most common form of this disease.
But a bunch of studies have found that certain compounds extracted from avocado oil and soybean oil may reduce the pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis, especially in the hips and knees.
6. Reducing the Risk of Gum Inflammation
Turns out, some of the compounds found in avocado oil and soybean oil might not only help with arthritis symptoms, but they could also be beneficial in fighting periodontal disease. This can manifest in different ways, including:
- Red, swollen gums.
- Bad breath.
- Loose teeth or teeth that are sensitive.
- Teeth that appear longer than usual.
7. Improving Skin Health & Accelerating Wound Healing
The healthy fats in avocado oil are crazy good for your skin. And a small study even found that a cream containing avocado oil and vitamin B12 could improve the symptoms of psoriasis after 12 weeks of consistent use.
Moreover, studies on animals have shown that avocado oil can help speed up wound healing. Newer cosmetic research seems to echo the healing properties, however, it shouldn’t outperform the more well-known and well-researched coconut oil.
It got us thinking, with all these amazing benefits, could avocado oil also play a role in hair health? We’ve seen it used in shampoos and conditioners, but what about directly applying it to the scalp? How might it affect hair growth, thickness, or even dandruff control? It’s worth doing a bit more homework.
Possible Side Effects of Avocado Oil
Despite all its perks, there are some potential downsides to keep in mind when using avocado oil. Here’s what you should be aware of:
- It may cause weight gain.
- It could trigger some allergic reactions.
- It can cause digestive issues in some people.
- It might lower good cholesterol levels.
Key takeaways
- Avocado oil is rich in healthy fats, particularly oleic acid, known for its heart-health benefits.
- It’s a good source of lutein, an antioxidant that supports eye health and may reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases.
- Avocado oil contains compounds that may alleviate symptoms of arthritis and reduce gum inflammation.
FAQ, Myth & Facts
Is avocado oil good for cooking at high temperatures?
Yes! Avocado oil has a high smoke point, making it suitable for grilling, frying, and baking without breaking down and releasing harmful compounds.
Can avocado oil help with dry skin?
Absolutely! Its moisturizing properties can nourish and hydrate dry skin, leaving it feeling soft and supple. Many people use it as a natural moisturizer or add it to their skincare routines.
Myth: Avocado oil is only for cooking.
False! Avocado oil has a wide range of uses beyond the kitchen, including skincare, haircare, and even as a carrier oil for essential oils.
Can avocado oil reduce inflammation?
While avocado oil has some anti-inflammatory properties, it’s not a cure-all for inflammation. It may help reduce inflammation when incorporated into a healthy lifestyle and diet.
I was skeptical at first, but after using avocado oil regularly for cooking, I noticed a significant improvement in my cholesterol levels. Plus, my skin feels so much softer now!
As someone who struggles with joint pain, I decided to give avocado oil a try. To my surprise, it helped reduce the stiffness in my knees, making it easier to move around.
I’ve always had dry, sensitive skin, and finding the right moisturizer has been a challenge. But ever since I started using avocado oil, my skin feels hydrated and nourished without any irritation.
So, where do we land with all this? For me, it’s a reminder that Mother Nature often holds some of the most effective solutions. I’m definitely adding avocado oil to my shopping list, and I’m excited to see the long-term impact it can have on my overall health and well-being, um, are you?
