Avocados May Help Combat Metabolic Syndrome
The peel, seed, flesh, and leaves of avocados have differing effects on components of metabolic syndrome
According to studies reported in the literature, avocados have the most beneficial effects on lipid profiles.Photo credit: B.navez, Wikimedia CommonsA new review investigates the effects of avocados on different components of metabolic syndrome, which is a clustering of risk factors including high blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and body mass index. These risk factors lead to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
According to studies reported in the literature, avocados have the most beneficial effects on lipid profiles, with changes to LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and phospholipids.
The peel, seed, flesh, and leaves of avocados have differing effects on components of metabolic syndrome.
"Avocado is a well-known source of carotenoids, minerals, phenolics, vitamins, and fatty acids," wrote the authors of the Phytotherapy Research review. "The lipid- lowering, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, antithrombotic, antiatherosclerotic, and cardioprotective effects of avocado have been demonstrated in several studies."