Battle Creek, MI—Here’s a new reason why you shouldn’t pass on the avocados during your next meal. Data collected in the 2001–2008 National Health and National Examination Survey (NHANES) suggest that avocados improve diet quality among other positive factors.

The NHANES data comprised 17,567 U.S adults over the age of 19, including 347 of them being avocado consumers. Average avocado consumption among this group was about one-half of a medium-sized avocado (114 calories, with 95 calories from fat) during a 24-hour dietary recall period.

Of the 347 subjects who ate avocado, research found better overall diet quality, nutrient intake and a reduced risk for metabolic syndrome than non-avocado eaters. The avocado group was also more likely to eat more vegetables and fruits as well, in turn having more vitamins in their system, such as high levels of vitamin K, potassium, magnesium, vitamins E and K, dietary fiber and lower levels of sugar as opposed to non avocado consumers. Last, the avocado consumers had significantly lower body weights and a smaller waist size. It was noted that non-avocado consumers had a 50% more of a chance of having metabolic syndrome compared to avocado eaters.

The research was conducted by Victor Fulgoni, III, Ph.D., from Nutrition Impact, and colleagues, and was published in Nutrition Journal.

 

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, February 2013 (online 1/7/13)