5 Reasons not to throw avocado seeds away

by Bongiwe Mati

What we’ve always thought of as waste in an avocado, turns out to have many health benefits. If you, just like me, have been throwing your avocado seeds away after taking them out, you might want to reconsider doing so. Simply slicing open your avocado, removing the seed, wrapping up the seed and crushing the seed into powder, can provide you with essential health benefits.

According to Health and Love, sprinkling the powder of your crushed avocado into your food can provide you with the following benefits:

  • Avocado seeds contain flavanols, an antioxidant that has been shown to decrease or prevent tumour growth. If you believe you may have a tumour, you should immediately seek treatment from a medical professional. However, it is also a good idea to include plenty of flavonol-rich foods, such as avocado seeds, in your daily diet.
  • Avocado seeds can be used to lower your blood glucose levels and help you maintain a healthy weight. In fact, some people say they have decreased the occurrence of exercise induced asthma. Additionally, avocado seeds can make you feel fuller, preventing you from snacking throughout the day.
  • Avocado seeds contain a nourishing oil that is filled with antioxidants. In fact, only 30% of the antioxidants contained in an avocado are in the flesh and skin. The other 70% can only be found in the seed. These antioxidants are able to prevent a number of heart conditions, including strokes and heart disease, as well as decrease cholesterol levels.
  • Avocado seeds have been shown to reduce the inflammatory process within the body. They are especially good at reducing swelling located in the gastrointestinal tract.
  • A number of individuals suffering from gastric ulcers report that avocado seeds help soothe and relieve their discomfort. This is due to the phenolic compounds, a type of antioxidant with antibacterial and antiviral properties, they contain. The seeds can even stop ulcers from forming within the digestive system’s lining.

Also see: Reasons why avocados are good for your health