Avocados tied to lower risk of metabolic syndrome

Fri, 22 Feb 2013
Eating avocados could protect you from serious illnesses such as type 2 diabetes according to new research published in the Nutrition Journal.

The study found that people who eat avocados every day are likely to have a healthier diet, lower body mass index, slimmer waistline, better cholesterol readings and lower risk of metabolic syndrome - a collection of metabolic symptoms linked to type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke - than the rest of the population.

The findings are based on data on more than 17,500 US adults who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2001 and 2008. Each of the adult subjects reported everything they ate for one 24-hour period.

A total of 347 adults (half male, half female) consumed avocado (average consumption was about half of a medium-sized fruit) during the 24 hours, and these individuals were reported to have significantly better intake of essential nutrients and more positive health indicators.

These included lower body weight, waist circumference and BMI readings, significantly higher levels of HDL (or "good") cholesterol, and a 50% lower risk of metabolic syndrome, compared to those who did not consume the green fruit.

"These findings suggest an interesting association between the consumption of avocados and better nutrient intakes and other positive outcomes," said lead researcher Dr Victor Fulgoni, a dietary consultant at the firm Nutrition Impact.

"They provide important clues to better understanding the relationships between diet and health, and give direction to future research endeavours."

It's important to note that the study was funded by the Hass Avocado Board, which promotes avocado consumption, so there is some possibility for bias.
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