Avocado seed is increasingly gaining popularity because of the health benefits it offers.
You may have thrown the seed of an avocado away several times. But studies are showing there is need for you to consider keeping it.
The avocado fruit always contains a single seed that is about 18% of the whole fruit.
Different studies on the composition of the seed show it contains protein, fat, ash, moisture, fiber and carbohydrate.
The minerals in the seed are Calcium, Zinc, Iron, Sodium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Copper, a lead mineral, Galena and more.
It is also a rich source of phytochemicals – Flavonoid, Tannin, Saponin, total Phenol, Oxalates, Phytates, Alkaloids.
Avocado seed also contains vitamins – A, B1, B2, B3, C and E (1).
The compounds are present in different proportions.
As a result of the presence of these compounds, this seed offers some health benefits.
1. Antioxidants
Studies show that the seed is rich in antioxidant properties.
These antioxidants make the seed able to fight antibodies that could cause chronic disease (2).
2. Anti Cancer Effect
Because of the presence of saponins in avocado seed, it could be effective against certain forms of cancer.
Saponins also boost your immune system and this helps your body fight toxins and antibodies.
3. Avocado Seed Is Great For Diabetics
Also, the seed is good for diabetics, as it reduces blood sugar levels. In an animal study, extracts of the seed was effective as an anti-diabetic medication.
This is also the function of saponins in the seed (3).
According to another study, its low sugar content makes it very recommendable source of high energy food for those who are diabetic (4).
4. Lowers Blood Pressure
Significantly, the seed of avocado contains minerals that help make the heart function better.
A 2019 study says it contains unsaturated lipids that are great in improving and maintaining healthy heart and circulatory system (5).
Find out more about how the seed of avocado works for high blood pressure in our earlier article.
5. Lowers Bad Cholesterol
Another function of antioxidant saponin in the seed. A study showed it could reduce bad cholesterol in mice (6).
This is a function of phenol antioxidant in the seed.
6. Active Against Certain Bacteria
Another study indicates that the seed of avocado can also inhibit the growth of Clostridium sporogenes (7).
This is a spore forming bacteria that makes food spoil.
7. Could Kill Insects
Also, extract from the seed has shown positive effect as insecticide.
8. Avocado Seed Is Antifungal
In a test-tube study the seed inhibited fungal growth. According to the study, it is effective against Candida albicans, a yeast that often causes problems in the gut (8).
How To Use Avocado Seed
Basically, the this seed is not something you should just chew like kola or any other fruit.
According to a study, there are some poisonous phytochemicals present in fresh seeds of avocado.
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However, these chemicals are not present in the dry seeds.
Therefore, it is recommended that you dry the seeds before processing for consumption.
You can add a teaspoon of the dry avocado seed in a cup of tea and drink.
Note, however, that most of the studies quoted here are animal studies.
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