Health Benefits of the Avocado
The use of the avocado can be widely seen throughout many different types of cuisines – including, not surprisingly, authentic Mexican recipes! Many fans of Mexican dishes love the taste of guacamole, or slices of avocado on top of salads or ceviche – but did you know that in addition to being delicious, avocados contain a lot of health benefits? All the more reason to visit Benito’s to get your next avocado fix!
Where Do Avocados Come From?
Avocados are grown on trees, originally thought to be found in South Central Mexico (specifically, the Tehuacan Valley) but now grown and cultivated across the world. Despite that, Mexico still supplies about 45% of the avocado market internationally! Interestingly, the avocado is actually classified as a berry, as it has a single seed (or pit) in the middle.
How Do You Keep an Avocado Fresh?
For the avocado aficionados who need their fix at home in addition to their favorite dish at Benito’s, you may be wondering whether to keep them in the refrigerator or on the counter. Once an avocado is cut, it is difficult to keep it from browning, as it oxidizes once exposed to air – however, you can scrape off the top layer to expose a fresh green layer underneath if it hasn’t been too long. Here are some other tips to maximize the amount of time you can keep your avocados good:
– Store avocados whole in the refrigerator – it can stay fresh for up to 2 weeks
– If you’re not going to use the whole avocado, first use the half that does not contain the pit, as keeping the pit with the leftovers helps keep it fresh for longer
– Store cut or scooped avocado in an airtight container or bag
– You can rub lemon juice or olive oil on top of the unused avocado half to slow down the oxidation process.
What Nutrients Are Found in the Avocado?
Avocados contain an abundance of nutrients, even in a single serving. So not only are they delicious, but very healthy to include in a variety of your meals! Vitamins like Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Potassium, Folate, Vitamin B5 & B6, and Vitamin E make up the nutrients that contain the most daily value percentage from a single 3.5oz serving.
Not only is avocado a great source of potassium, it even beats out the banana! Potassium is an electrolyte that many people are lacking in their diet, so it’s a great addition to your diet.
Avocados are also a great source of fiber, which is a crucial part of the following:
– Digestive functions
– Heart functions
– Blood Sugar Control
– Weight Management
– And more!
Avocados are a great way to receive a good amount of your daily nutrients in a delicious way. What’s your favorite Benito’s menu item that contains avocados?
