Avocados Are Good For You

No, this isn’t another blog post to tout the tasty hipster take on toast, even though it is pretty good – especially with tomato!

Since we’re celebrating #NationalAvocadoDay, we’re focusing on how good Avocados are, for you, and your smile.

But is that really such a secret?

According to this blog post from Delta Dental, Americans eat upwards of seven pounds of avocados each year – this despite being on the more expensive fruits in the produce section.

Did you think that the Avocado was a vegetable?

Avocados are widely considered a superfood by most nutritionists & dieticians, and yes, they are a fruit – a berry actually, according to the California Avocado Commission.

So now that we have them properly categorized, let’s take a look at why avocados are so good for your teeth & gums, aside from being naturally sodium-, sugar- and cholesterol-free…

3 Reasons Why Avocados Are Good For Your Smile

1. Phytonutrients

According to LiveScience.com, Phytonutrients, also called phytochemicals, are chemicals produced by plants which they use to stay healthy – by protecting themselves against disease, insects, and even radiation or UV rays.

Phytonutrients also provide significant benefits for humans who eat plant foods. The phytonutrients in avocados help protect your gums from bacterial infection – like gum disease!

Among the benefits of phytonutrients are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Carotenoids are the specific class of phytonutrients thought to help prevent many chronic diseases, and avocados have them in bunches.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) notes that consuming a phytonutrient-rich diet seems to be an “effective strategy” for reducing cancer and heart disease risks.

2. Potassium

Avocados can act as a “nutrient booster” by helping increase the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamins A, D, K and E.

When we think of potassium (Vitamin K) we normally think of bananas, but avocados enjoy a bounty of potassium.

Potassium helps in keeping your bones – and teeth – strong, which in turn reduces your risk of tooth decay. Like vitamin D, potassium improves bone mineral density.

It also works with magnesium to prevent blood from becoming too acidic, which can leach calcium from your bones and teeth.

Eating just one cup of avocado can provide you with around 700 grams of potassium.

3. Folic Acid

Folic Acid, or folate (Vitamin B9), helps to prevent gum disease and promote healthy cell and tissue development.

Avocados are a good source of Folic Acid, which is especially important for pregnant women.

“Double-blind studies have shown that folic acid can significantly reduce gum inflammation,” according to the Institute for Optimum Nutrition.

“It is a crucial period of time in a woman’s life and maintaining oral health is directly related to good overall health,” says Dr. Aharon Hagai on MouthHealthy.org

So, the ‘ol saying of gaining a child & losing a tooth need not apply!

Several studies have shown that folic acid can reduce inflammation in the gums and make them more resilient to dental plaque and anaerobic bacteria, two of the leading causes in gum disease – tooth decay and bad breath.

When your system doesn’t have a deficit of folic acid, your gum tissue can fight back against inflammation and bleeding. Avocados happen to have more folic acid in them compared to any other popular fruit.

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