Avocado is one of the fruits that people like the most for its color, flavor, and creamy consistency, in addition to being rich in healthy fats, which contributes to a balanced diet.
Even the seed of this food can be used, since the seed, as it is also known, is said to be anti-inflammatory, regulate cholesterol, treat digestive problems, and strengthen the body. However, some benefits have not been proven in humans, say experts.
Avocado pulp is characterized by having a high content of antioxidants because it is rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, and K. In addition, it provides calcium, iron, and zinc, says nutritionist Fernanda Aguilar.
Avocado consumption reduces total cholesterol levels, as well as triglycerides in the blood, an effect that is possibly due to its composition in fatty acids and its richness in fiber.
What is the avocado seed used for?
The avocado has a rounded seed that measures approximately 2 to 4 centimeters in length. Due to the nutrients it contains, such as fiber and amino acids, it is attributed medicinal properties such as being anti-inflammatory and regulating cholesterol. In addition, it provides carbohydrates, fats, proteins, calcium, zinc, sodium, iron, vitamins A, C, E, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins.
“Some pharmacological properties are attributed to it due to the presence of fatty acids, polyphenolic compounds, and sterols; and it has been used since pre-Columbian times against ailments such as muscle pain, parasites, and mycoses,” says the Technological Surveillance Bulletin of the Agri-Food Sector, entitled That which you throw away: innovation and uses of the avocado seed, from the Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development.
It is possible to obtain enzymes and substances with antibiotic and antimicrobial properties from avocado seeds. The latter could be used in meat preserves, medicinal processes, and cosmetic products. It is also possible to use the seed to extract tannins and pigments, and the seed is a potential source of starch, he adds.
Álvaro Hernández, a naturopath, mentions some uses that can be given to the avocado seed. It is considered to serve as an anti-inflammatory, to control cholesterol, and digestive problems, to help lose weight, and to strengthen the immune system. It is also used for cosmetic purposes, to give strength and shine to hair.
However, he stresses that many studies have been conducted only on animals and not on humans, so some properties are unproven.
Take care of the cardiovascular system.
Because it is believed to have properties that help regulate cholesterol, it is said that the avocado seed protects the cardiovascular system. In addition, it is also anti-inflammatory, which is also beneficial for the heart and for preventing cardiovascular accidents.
It is antimicrobial
Research into the skin and seed of the avocado has determined that it contains substances that prevent the growth of pathogens and bacteria.
Homemade insecticide
The avocado seed is popular for having properties that help make a pest repellent, specifically for leaf miner flies in the primary cultivation stages (seedlings and first leaves).
This is due to its tannin content, described as a toxic substance with a bitter taste that, when applied to the leaves of vegetables, generates rejection by insects that feed on these plants.