Fruit that Lowers 'Bad' Cholesterol 0 57

To test the beneficial properties of avocado, a team of scientists conducted a study involving a thousand volunteers suffering from overweight and obesity over a period of 6 months.

Half of the participants consumed one avocado daily, while the other group maintained their usual diet, including avocado only twice a month. At the end of the experiment, researchers measured fat deposits and waist circumference using MRI.

The results showed that daily consumption of one avocado did not affect body shape but led to a reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), known as 'bad' cholesterol, which can cause serious diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.

According to the scientists, daily consumption of avocado contributed to a decrease in total cholesterol levels by 2.9 milligrams per deciliter, while 'bad' cholesterol levels decreased on average by 2.5 mg/dL.

“Avocado does not affect belly fat accumulation and weight gain, but the study results indicate that this fruit can be a beneficial addition to a balanced diet,” notes Penny Kris-Etherton, a professor of nutrition at Penn State University in Pennsylvania.

Nutritionists will continue to investigate the mechanisms by which avocado lowers cholesterol levels. The data from the study were published in the journal of the American Heart Association.