Avocados have long been deemed as superfoods thanks to their high nutrient and antioxidant content, so it’s no wonder that avocado oil has started making waves as well.
Avocado oil is one of the most versatile oils, being used in both cosmetics and in cooking. Contrary to most oils, avocado oil doesn’t come from a seed, but from the fleshy part that surrounds the avocado pit.
One of the greatest advantages of avocado oil is its crazily high smoke point, both for unrefined and refined version – around 520 °F (271 °C). Olive oil’s smoke point, for example, is just 380 °F and sunflower oil’s about 450 °F. Most oils are nothing compared to avocado oil which is also one of the reasons it’s so widely used for almost any cooking activity you can imagine, from roasting and sauteing to deep-frying.
If you’re worried about finding a suitable cooking oil, then you can’t really go wrong with avocado oil.
But how does avocado oil compare in the health department in general? We all know avocados are great for your health and the good news is, avocado oil entails most of the same benefits. Here’s exactly what health benefits you can reap when you include avocado oil in your daily life (both in cooking and skin care).
1. Lower blood pressure
Olive oil has been the number one suggestion for anyone who’s struggling with high blood pressure but avocado oil might push olive oil to the second place. That’s because of oleic acid, a fatty acid that has been connected to inducing lower blood pressure.
Almost third-quarters of avocado oil consists of that incredible fatty acid which has been named as the main reason behind olive oil’s health benefits. Avocado oil is filled to the brim with healthy fats that will strengthen your heart in amazing ways.
2. Lower cholesterol and better heart health
And while we’re on the subject of your heart, avocado oil does more than just lower your blood pressure. Several studies have shown that avocado oil has great effects on increasing the HDL-cholesterol and lowering the LDL-cholesterol level (a.k.a lowering the bad cholesterol).
That effect comes once again from oleic acid, the miracle-worker that lurks in avocados.
As avocado oil may reduce the LDL cholesterol and affect the triglyceride levels, it will lower the risk of developing coronary heart disease as it deals with several severe risk factors effectively. Your heart will really thank you if you use avocado oil!
3. You’ll absorb nutrients more easily
One study found something especially curious: if you use avocado oil in a salad together with carrots and spinach, for example, you might literally tenfold the absorption of carotenoids.
In a way, this is also quite logical. Carotenoids are fat-soluble and therefore, they need fats to absorb. As avocado oil is packed with healthy fats, it’s a winning combination. By including just a little bit of avocado oil in your salad, you’ll increase the nutrient absorption tremendously and with that, you’ll decrease the risk of developing various diseases, especially when it comes to your eyes.
4. It might reduce pain and other symptoms related to arthritis
While it’s easy to imagine how avocado oil helps your heart, it’s surprising to see how it can actually help your joints as well.
Several studies have proven that to be the case though. An avocado oil extract (combined with soybean oil extract, called ASU a.k.a avocado and soybean unsaponifiables) has been successfully tried and used for knee and hip osteoarthritis – even so successfully that in France, this extract is an actual prescription drug as Dr. Axe stressed.
While it might not be a permanent fix, ASU has shown signs of reducing the pain and stiffness related to arthritis. So why not include avocado oil in your daily diet – it might benefit your joints as well.
5. Stronger gums
It seems that avocado and soybean oil combined can do even more wonders. Some studies have shown that this interesting oil extract might help to prevent gum disease – an ugly inflammatory disease that might cause your gums to bleed, not to even mention the bad breath and even possible tooth loss.
This beneficial effect comes from ASU’s ability to block one certain protein (IL1B) which is the main culprit behind that ugly inflammation.
6. No more free radicals
This useful effect is not unique to avocado oil alone. Antioxidants are the little helpers that help to neutralize free radicals which might cause serious damage to your body. Avocado oil, in turn, is packed with antioxidants.
As proven by studies, avocado oil can enter the mitochondria and therefore, it can protect you from the free radicals effectively.
7. Your wounds might heal faster
Avocado oil is great for topical use as well. One study found that since avocado oil is packed with various essential fatty acids, it might help to speed up the wound-healing process. That’s because fatty acids increase collagen synthesis and at the same time, reduce the number of inflammatory cells.
If you see a lotion that’s meant for wounds and includes avocado oil, you can be sure it’s the real deal.
8. It helps with a plethora of skin problems
If you thought avocado oil is great to consume with your diet, you’ll want to apply it on your skin as well after reading this (for example by using a hand cream with avocado oil).
Avocado oil can benefit your skin in various ways, all thanks to its rich nutrient content. To name a few benefits:
- It can help to ease sunburn as the vitamins and fatty acids soothe the skin.
- It might help to treat harsh skin conditions such as psoriasis, again all thanks to the antioxidants and vitamins in the avocado oil. Studies are so hopeful that it’s actually considered to be a possible long-term topical treatment option for some people who suffer from psoriasis.
- It might help with acne. As avocado oil has anti-inflammatory functions, it might help with acne as well, especially since it helps to soothe and hydrate the skin efficiently.
- It might reduce the signs of aging due to its ability to increase collagen creation.
- It might even help with dandruff.
As you see, avocado oil comes with a long list of health benefits, both for the inside and outside of your body. The best part: it’s so easy to use and it’s even more easily accessible. If you’ve longed for a great oil that you could use both for cooking and for your beauty procedures, avocado oil might be the way to go.
