When You Eat Too Much Avocado, This Is What Happens
Avocados are a healthy, nutrient-dense superfood linked to a number of important health benefits. Packed full of fiber and nutrients, avocados can help improve digestion, lower cholesterol, and reduce the risk of heart disease. But can you have too much of a good thing? Like any food, it's best to eat avocados in moderation (via Health).
Although avocados are rich in vitamins, fiber, and healthy fats, they're also high in calories. One avocado can contain 250 to 320 calories, depending on the size. That's 10 to 20% of your daily recommended calorie intake. Avocados also contain more than 20 grams of fat. While avocados are full of monounsaturated fats, which are considered healthy fats, you still don't want to overdo it. The daily recommended fat intake is 44 to 77 grams per day, and consuming too much fat can contribute to weight gain. That being said, eating a third of an avocado or even a whole one every day is perfectly healthy and safe.
The risks of eating too much avocado
Although it's not toxic or harmful to your health, eating too many avocados may result in some unpleasant side effects. Since avocados are a high-fat and high-calorie fruit, eating an excess amount may cause you to gain weight, depending on your diet and activity level (via Eat This, Not That). How much fat you consume from other foods also plays a role in whether or not you'll gain weight. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, limiting yourself to no more than one avocado per day can help prevent any unwanted weight gain.
Eating too many avocados may also result in gastrointestinal issues. Although avocados are rich in fiber, which can help aid digestion, they also contain polyols. Polyols are small-chain carbohydrates that can cause bloating, gas, diarrhea, and an upset stomach when consumed in large quantities. Some people are intolerant of polyols and may experience these symptoms after eating too much avocado. Consuming too much fiber can also yield the same result. The best way to avoid these side effects is to eat avocados in moderation alongside a healthy and well-balanced diet.