Avocados are extremely delicious and healthy. The avocado fruit can be added to almost any kinds of meals, salads, or sandwiches. You can also make a homemade guacamole if you love nachos. However, almost all of us always throw away its seeds, and it is a huge mistake!
Namely, it seems that these seeds have been regarded as extremely beneficial in the traditional medicine for decades.
You may have heard that some seeds can be toxic, like the ones from fruits like cherries, plums and apricots, which contain the toxic chemical However, do not worry, as this is not the case with the avocado seed.
The avocado seed contain mildly toxic compounds, tannins, which means that you need to consume several before you notice any negative side effect. Yet, a study published in the Scientific World Journal in 2013, found that the avocado seed extract is completely safe and it didn’t show any toxicity.
Health Benefits of Avocado Seeds
Avocado fruits are abundant in folate, Vitamin B and healthy fats. Moreover, their seeds are also loaded with healthy nutrients as well. Namely, they contain almost 70% of the avocados antioxidants, as well as fatty acids, triterpenes, phytosterols, and glucosides from abscisic acid.
Moreover, the seeds are a rich source of bioactive phytochemical, including proanthocyanids and Flavonoids. Moreover, these beneficial seeds are also considered to be one of the best sources of soluble fiber.
As a result, they have numerous healthy properties, such as: antifungal, antibiotic, antimicrobial, insecticidal, antihypertensive, larvicidal, amoebicidal, giardicidal and hypolipidemic properties.
Strengthens the immune system
Our immune system is our first line of defense against all kinds of diseases. The avocado seeds and skins are the perfect tool to strengthen the immune system, and prevent cold and flues, as they contain high amounts of antioxidants, such as procyandins and catechins, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Hence, avocado seeds can be of great help in the reduction of stiffness, swelling, joint pain and diseases. The researchers in an in-vitro study, published in the journal Revista de Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical, in 2009, discovered that the anti-fungal and antibiotic properties of avocado seed extract could inhibit harmful pathogens such as Candida and other fungi, since these infections are usually related to a weakened immune system.
Digestive benefits
The consumption of avocado seeds can help you improve the digestion process, as they are loaded with antioxidants and fiber, which are also extremely beneficial for proper digestion. People in South America used the avocado seeds for treating gastric ulcers, severe diarrhea, acute diarrhea and other digestive problems.
Benefits for heart disease patients
Scientific research shows that avocado seeds can lower the high cholesterol levels and hypertension. Furthermore, these seeds were shown to be extremely beneficial in preventing diabetes and fighting inflammation.
Another study published in the journal Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, in 2012, showed that avocado seeds could offer protection against arterial plaque formation. Moreover, they state that the dietary fiber found in avocado seeds is linked with lower cholesterol, as fiber will bind to the cholesterol in the intestinal tract and prevent it from being absorbed.
Fight Cancer
These seeds are rich in antioxidants, and the flavonols antioxidant compound provides strong anti-tumor properties. Moreover, a recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Cancer Research, found that a compound found in avocado seed extract called avocation B was effective against acute myeloid leukemia cells.
In the study, researchers tested almost 800 natural health products against the human acute myeloid leukemia cells.
Another research published in the journal Pharmaceutical Biology, researchers from the University of Antioquia in Medellin, Colombia, showed that the extract from avocado fruit and seeds caused leukemia cells to self destruct.
Help reduce wrinkles
The avocado seed oil would be extremely useful and beneficial in reducing the appearance of wrinkles, as a scientific study found that the oil of the avocado seeds can increase the collagen in the skin. In addition, avocado seed oil is also used to treat acne flare-ups.
These beneficial seeds have numerous uses, and these are some more:
- Avocado seed tea –prepare a great tea from the avocado seeds by boiling them for 30-40 minutes.
- Natural food additive – A study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food chemistry, in 2011, t found that the anti-microbial and antioxidant properties of the avocado seed may help with food spoilage prevention. This means it can be used as a healthy food additive, so simply crush them and add them to your favorite meals.
- Homemade facial mask – dry the seeds, then grind them nicely and add them to your favorite facial mask. Thus, you will get an excellent facial mask exfoliator.
- Guacamole saver – These seeds can help you keep your guacamole from going bad in the refrigerator. Simply place an avocado seed in your guacamole dip.
- Grow an avocado plant – You can now have a decorative houseplant in your home. All you need to do is to plant the avocado seed in your garden.
How to Extract the Avocado Seed
Now, we will explain how to safely remove the avocado seed from the avocado:
1. First, cut the avocado by slicing around the pit in order to cleanly remove the seed.
2. Insert your knife into the pit, twist and gently pull.
3. Finally, remove the avocado seed from the knife.
Now, when it’s already out, put the avocado seed into a plastic bag, crush it with a hammer, and add it to your favorite meals. For instance, you can add it to your smoothie, together with dates, banana or spinach and add water. If you have a high-powered blender in your home, you may not need to smash the seed first.
Here are the recipes of two delicious smoothies we would suggest to you:
Green Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1/2 avocado seed
- 1/2 to 3/4 of a ripe mango
- 3/4 of a head of red leaf lettuce
- 1 ripe pear
- 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed
- 2 1/2 cups of water or almond milk
Method of preparation:
You will need to smash the avocado seed, and mix it with all the other ingredients in a blender, until you get a smooth mixture. Serve over ice and enjoy!
Perfect Avocado Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1/2 avocado seed
- 1/2 avocado
- 1 cup of organic spinach
- 1 small piece of ginger (grated)
- 1 ripe pear
- 1/2 apple
- 1 cup of almond milk or water
Method of preparation:
Smash the seed, put all the ingredients into a blender and blend together until smooth. Enjoy!