Avocados are both delicious and nutritious, which explains their rise in popularity. Even the avocado seed, which which people tend to throw away, is rich in nutrients and can have medicinal properties that the main fruit does not have.
Avocado seed: the benefits of the core
Avocados are a great food that should be consumed frequently. The avocado seed, in particular, contains 70% of the amino acids in the fruit. Also, avocados contain a high amount of soluble fiber. The benefits of the avocado seed are the following.
Anti-aging properties
The nice thing about consuming avocado seeds is they are loaded with antioxidants. These help fight the free-radicals that damage healthy cells, which in turn leads to the aging sings like wrinkles and saggy skin.
Prevents cardiovascular diseases
Since the avocado seed contains a high amount of amino acids, consuming the seed means you can prevent cardiovascular diseases. The seed is also good for those suffering from cholesterol problems and it is also effective in preventing various coronary diseases.
Improves the immune system
The avocado seed helps to raise the body’s defenses and strenghten them. It also enables the body to combat diseases caused by microbes and fungi as well as parasites.
Helps to slim and lose weight
It is well known that the avocado seed contains a lot of fat burners, but the big chunk of those is actually concentrated in the seed.
Also, because of its content in fiber, the seed helps to improve the intestinal tract and it makes your stomach feel full. These factors play an important role in helping people shed weight.
Treats diarrhea and gastrointestinal tract inflammation
Since the avocado seeds are astringent, they are a really good option for those who are suffering from diarrhea and from gastrointestinal tract inflammation.
Increases libido
The avocado seed has aphrodisiac properties that help to increase libido.
Good for the skin
Avocado seeds have a rejuvenating effect on your skin and whether you eat the seed or apply it topically, it will boost the production of collagen and keep your skin looking and feeling healthy.
Antifungal and anti-bacterial properties
The avocado seed has been used for a long time to treat different kinds of infections. The avocado seed can kill various fungi and bacteria because of its strong antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Can be used to treat diabetes
The avocado seed can be used to treat diabetes, although, for it to be effective it is necessary to consume the seeds orally and for a long period of time.
Since these contain a lot of calcium and magnesium as well as potassium and sodium, zinc and chromium, they are able to regulate important enzymes that help to form glucose. By doing this, the seeds can help the body make better use of existing glucose and in this way, it can fight diabetes.
Use the seed to fight cancer
According to a study from 2017, the avocado seed can potentially help treating cancer. More research is still required, but the results so far have been positive as some of the components present in the seed have the potential to become anticancer agents.
How to use the avocado seed
Make a smoothie
First, you need to dry the avocado seed and then, after dehydrating it in a microwave oven, you can grind the seed into a powder which you can then mix in your smoothie. Alternatively, you can use the powder as a garnish for your salad.
Create an avocado seed tea
Take some chunks of the avocado seed and put them in a tea infuser into which you can pour some boiling water. To get rid of the bitter taste, simply add some honey or other natural sweetener and consume.
Create a face mask
To make a face mask out of the avocado seed, you must first dry the seed and then grind it. After, mix the powder with some mashed banana and avocado pulp as well as some olive oil. This mixture will then turn into a face-exfoliating mask.
Make a shampoo
Take some grated avocado seeds and boil them in water. Once the mixture has cooled you can then strain it and mix it with a tiny amount of any regular shampoo. The new mixed shampoo will make your hair grow soft and thick.
How to eat the avocado seed
Before eating the avocado seed, it pays to keep in mind that this seed has a bitter as well as astringent flavor.
To avoid or at least remove some of the intensity of its flavor, you should first take out the fine layer of brown skin. Next, grate this skin. You can even choose to heat it slowly till its color turns brown. Once the color turns reddish, you can do various things.
First, you may want to make an infusion and for that you need to boil it for ten minutes and then allow five minutes for it to cool. After that, you can drink it.
Second, you can use it like a garnish in your salad or soup or stew or even in your rice plate or pasta.
Third, by toasting the seed you can then mash it in a coffee bean grinder and then use the powder.