The avocado is a popular fruit across the world. It’s a creamy green fruit packed with carbs, vitamins, minerals and good fats.
Avocados also contain fibres, proteins and phytochemicals. Studies show that avocado is packed with nutrients leading to people calling it a superfood.
They have a rich, creamy texture which makes them easy to add to salads and other dishes. They are very versatile and can be eaten as guacamole, on toast, or even plain.
When avocados ripen, they become soft to the touch. However, when exposed to air, they easily oxidize and turn brown. Adding a little lemon juice can help lower the rate of oxidation.
Avocados also have multiple benefits:
-They can help reduce high levels of bad cholesterol. Research has proved that avocado can change your cholesterol profile in a low-fat vegetarian diet.
-Avocados increase your health. Studies show that adding avocado oil to your diet helps you absorb plant nutrients better.
-Avocado is rich in soluble and insoluble fibre. Soluble fibre feeds the good bacteria in your digestive system. Insoluble fibre reduces blood sugar and lowers the risk of certain diseases.
-Avocado can reduce the risk of cancer. Studies show that avocado extract reduced the growth of prostate cancer cells.
–Studies show that avocado is rich in oleic acid, which has been shown to reduce inflammation.
-Avocado extract can help relieve arthritis symptoms. Studies show avocado oil extract can help reduce osteoarthritis. There is no evidence to show if avocados themselves have this effect.
-Avocados can help with weight loss. Studies found that people who added avocado to their foods felt fuller for longer than those who didn’t, which helps you control your appetite.
-Avocados are great for your eye health. Studies show that avocados are rich in carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which are necessary for eye health. Further studies show that avocado can reduce the risk of cataracts and macular generation common in older adults.
While avocados can be highly nutritious, like everything, consuming too much avocado can have side effects.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU EAT TOO MUCH AVOCADO?
Here are the side effects of eating too much avocado.
1. AVOCADOS CAN LEAD TO WEIGHT GAIN
One avocado contains about 240 calories. Studies show an avocado can contain up to 322 calories. Moderation is key when you eat even healthy fats.
Avoid eating avocados daily or reduce portion sizes to avoid weight gain from them.
2. TOO MUCH AVOCADO CAN TRIGGER ALLERGY
One of the side effects of eating too much avocado is a mouth allergy. When you eat too much avocado, the body can treat it like an invader.
Your body will then react to this by mild itching of your lips, mouth and throat.
This could because you have an allergy to birch pollen.
Having an allergy to latex can lead to a reaction when you eat avocado. Latex and avocado allergies are due to cross-reactivity. This is because the proteins they contain are similar.
People who are allergic to latex can also react to bananas, kiwis, chestnuts and papayas.
Avocado-latex allergy symptoms are:
-swollen lips
-sneezing
-itchy eyes
-vomiting or other discomforts in the stomach
Antihistamines should treat allergies very fast.
3. AVOCADOS CAN CAUSE IRRITABILITY IN THE STOMACH
Avocados contain small-chain carbohydrates known as polyols.
Polyols are natural laxatives. They draw water to the colon and produce gas in the fermentation effect.
Other side effects of eating too much avocado are gas, bloating and diarrhoea.
Research shows that avocados cause certain sugars that can cause digestive problems.
4. AVOCADOS CAN TRIGGER INFLAMMATION
Research shows that avocados still contain trace amounts of saturated fats. Eating too much avocado can lead to inflammation.
Saturated fats increase inflammation of the arteries and can lead to chronic heart disease.
5. AVOCADOS CAN REDUCE YOUR NUTRITIONAL INTAKE
Due to the high fibre content in avocado, one of the side effects of eating too much avocado is you may opt not to eat appropriately.
The fat content in avocados can also displace other nutrients because you may remain full by the time of your next meal.
6. TOO MUCH AVOCADO CAN AFFECT DIGESTION
Another side effect of too much avocado is an irritable bowel. As we’ve mentioned before, avocado can affect people who can’t digest polyols.
However, too much avocado can lead to bloating, abdominal pain or constipation due to too much fibre.
A single avocado can provide more than half of the recommended daily intake of fibre. Too much avocado can also cause problems for people with irritable bowel syndrome.
7. TOO MUCH AVOCADO CAN LEAD TO LIVER DAMAGE
Another example of the side effects of eating too much avocado is liver damage.
As we’ve mentioned before, avocado contains high-fat content.
Research from the University of California San Francisco found that a diet rich in monounsaturated fat combined with high starch content causes fatty liver disease.
This study was conducted on mice subjected to a high fat, high starch, and low protein by calorie diet. At the end of the study, the mice had enlarged livers with globules of fat.
Too much avocado increases the risk of liver disease and poses a risk for metabolic disorder.
The research also found that the mice exposed to this diet had lost fat in their testes, a place where they usually store fat in their bodies. Examination of their visceral fat also revealed an unusual level of fat cell death and inflammation.
The scientists theorized that the high levels of monounsaturated fats caused the fat from these areas to be transferred to the liver at an abnormally high rate.
8. TOO MUCH AVOCADO CAN CAUSE DRUG INTERACTION
Avocados are rich in Vitamin K, which is a nutrient used in blood clotting.
Blood thinners work by blocking the activity of that vitamin. Studies show that one ounce of avocado contains 150 times lower the amount of Vitamin K expected to interfere with blood thinners.
Excess amounts of avocado can change this and interfere with blood thinner medication.
9. AVOCADO CAN CAUSE MIGRAINES
Another one of the possible side effects of too much avocado is migraines.
Avocados contain small amounts of tyramine which is a broken-down product of an amino acid called tyrosine.
Research shows that tyrosine is linked to migraines.
10. TOO MUCH AVOCADO CAN AFFECT BREAST-FEEDING BABIES
There isn’t scientific evidence behind this. However, eMedicineHealth recommends eating avocado in moderation for breast-feeding mothers.
According to StyleCraze, one of the possible side effects of eating too much avocado by pregnant mothers can cause them to have an upset stomach.
TAKEAWAY
It’s important to note that avocado can be harmful to your pets. Avocado contains a fungicidal toxin called persin that is harmless to humans.
However, persin is toxic to cattle, horses, goats, birds and fish. Dogs are resistant to person, but if your dog has consumed avocado, it may cause vomiting and diarrhoea. If you suspect your dog has swallowed an avocado pit, call a vet immediately.
Avocados are highly nutritious and beneficial to your overall health. But, like everything, it’s important to consume it in moderation.
If you follow a regular diet of 2500 calories a day, the daily recommended intake for avocados is half of one fruit.
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