2. Eating one avocado every day can help improve cognitive function
According to a study, eating 1 fresh avocado every day could result in improved cognitive function in healthy older individuals because of increased levels of lutein in the eye and brain.1✅ JOURNAL REFERENCE
DOI: 10.3390/nu9090919
The researchers monitored 40 healthy individuals aged 50 and older who consumed 1 fresh avocado every day for 6 months and experienced a 25% increase in levels of lutein in their eyes and a significant improvement in problem-solving skills and working memory.
Lutein is a carotenoid normally found in vegetables and fruit that accumulates in the brain, eye, and blood and acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.
As 1 medium avocado was included in the participants’ daily diet, researchers monitored a gradual increase in the amount of lutein in their eyes and progressive cognition skill improvements as measured by tests created to assess attention levels, processing speed, and memory.
In comparison, the control group participants who didn’t consume avocados had fewer cognitive health improvements throughout the study period.
The study results are according to the daily consumption of 1 whole avocado. More research is required to evaluate if the results could be replicated with the daily consumption of the recommended portion size of 1/3 of an avocado.
The control diet consisted of either 1 cup of chickpeas or 1 medium potato instead of the avocado. Potatoes and chickpeas were chosen as the control diet due to the fact that they provided the same calorie level, but a minimal amount of monounsaturated fats and lutein.
The study results indicate that the lutein, fiber, and monounsaturated fats make avocados especially effective at increasing neural levels of lutein, which could provide benefits for brain health as well as eye health.
The study results also found more than double the levels of lutein in the eye in individuals consuming avocados, in comparison to those consuming a supplement.
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