Is Avocado Oil Good For You?
Avocados are considered a superfood, per WebMD, so it follows that avocado oil ranks high in the healthy department. Avocados contain potassium, folate, and vitamins B6 and C, so you get all that goodness in the oil as well. The oil has a high smoke point, meaning you can sauté, stir fry, and bake with it. You can even use it on salads. Cold-pressed, unrefined avocado oil retains the flavor of the fruit while the refined oil does not have a flavor (via The Healthy).
One of the reasons why avocado oil is good for you is because it is high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Monounsaturated fats help to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol in your blood, making it a heart-healthy choice. Another fat found in avocado oil is the essential fatty acid oleic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, studies show that extracts from avocado oil might help eliminate pain caused by osteoarthritis, according to Healthline.
Avocado oil has other health benefits
Avocado oil contains the antioxidant vitamin E, which could help fight cancer. People with type 2 diabetes may benefit from using avocado oil because it might increase insulin sensitivity in people with the disease, Megan Byrd, RD, from Oregon told The Healthy. In addition, it could help detoxify your body because it contains chlorophyll. A serving of the oil also contains the antioxidant glutathione, which is known to lower the risks of some cancers, according to the National Institutes of Health. Because the oil has high levels of vitamins A and E, it can help your skin heal and could slow the aging of your skin (via Healthline).
If you have decided to add avocado oil to your diet, be sure you are buying a quality brand. Studies conducted by the University of California, Davis, in 2020 showed that 82% of the brands tested were either expired and rancid or mixed with other oils. Pure, unrefined avocado oil should be greenish in color, while refined avocado oil will be yellow or even clear. As far as taste, authentic avocado oil will have a buttery, grass-like flavor.