The Benefits of Avocado Oil

Last week I shared a great recipe for an Avocado Facial. I wanted to take some time today to expand on avocado oil benefits and avocados in general. Avocado oil health benefits are many, in addition to the avocado oil benefits for skin and hair. Avocado oil is typically made through a process of extracting the oil from the pulp of the avocado fruit. Cold-pressed avocado oil, which is extracted without heat, is considered to retain more of the fruit’s natural nutrients and is often preferred for cosmetic and culinary uses. You can usually find it in the with oils at most high quality grocery stores. Here is my affiliate link to my favorite kind on Amazon.

Avocado Oil Health Benefits

People are increasingly becoming aware of the dangers of highly processed foods and moving towards whole food diet.  In that same vein, more and more people are also finding that the oils of various fruits have benefits as well.  For instance coconut oil is very popular right now and has a number of health benefits. Avocado oil may be less trendy but it also has a many health benefits. In fact, Avocado oil shares many of the healthy properties of olive oil.

1. Avocado oil is very high in mono unsaturated fats and low in saturated fat. Of course, it is also cholesterol free.  This means that avocado oil can help lower low density lipid (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol levels and is also suitable for diabetics as part of a healthy diet.
2. Cold pressed avocado oil makes high quality oil with low levels of oxidization products and acidity while retaining high levels of vitamin E. Vitamin E is shown to help reduce the risk of coronary disease and also contributes to skin health.
3. Avocado oil may be useful for nutrient absorption. Many essential vitamins and minerals are best absorbed into the body in combination with fats. The unsaturated fats found in avocados in addition to the high levels of carotenoids help boost the body’s absorption of alpha and beta carotinoids along with lutien.
4. Avocado oil may help lower Blood Pressure. A 2005 study showed that diets high in avocado oil alter the levels of essential fatty oils in the kidneys, changing how they respond to hormones that regulate blood pressure.
5. Avocado oil has been shown to help reduce symptoms of arthritis. Certain combinations of avocado and soybean oil extracts actually receiving prescription drug status in France.
6. Avocado oil may be useful for Periodontal Disease. In addition to arthritis, a combination of avocado and soybean oil helps control inflammation. This may be helpful in inhibiting bone erosion in the teeth.

There are several ways to consume avocado oil. Avocado oil has a high smoke point, making it suitable for cooking at high temperatures. You can use it for sautéing, frying, roasting, or grilling. My favorite way to use avocado oil as a food is to use it to make salad dressings or marinades for meats and vegetables. Some even people add a tablespoon of avocado oil to their smoothies for an extra boost of healthy fats. It’s important to note that while avocado oil is a healthy fat, it is calorie-dense, so it’s best to consume it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Avocado Benefits For The Skin

Extra virgin avocado oil has also shown to help treat dry, flaky skin and sunburn. In addition, used topically over time it has been shown to reduce the appearance of age spots, scarring and minor sun damage.  Avocado oil is very penetrative. It is believed to penetrate the epidermis and move into the dermal layer of this skin, which most moisturizers and other natural oils don’t do.

Dr. Elizabeth Houshmand says that “many people opt to apply products formulated with avocado oil around the eye area in particular. The rich hydration in this area can help smooth the look of lines and wrinkles.”

Avocado oil and vitamin B12 cream was shown to cause a consistent improvement in psoriasis over a 12-week study period in 2001.

Benefits of Avocado Oil For Hair

Avocado oil is a nourishing oil that can benefit your hair in several ways. Avocado oil is rich in oleic acid and monounsaturated fats, which can penetrate the hair shaft and moisturize your hair, making it soft and shiny. Furthermore, the vitamins A, D, and E in avocado oil help stimulate hair growth and strengthen the hair follicles. Regular use of avocado oil can make your hair appear shinier and more lustrous.

The high levels of antioxidants in avocado oil help protect your hair from environmental damage and heat styling. By improving the elasticity of your hair, it can reduce breakage and split ends. In addition, avocado oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce dandruff and inflammation on the scalp.

Conclusion

Avocados are gaining a reputation as a super food due to these and many other health benefits. They taste great and help make you feel great, inside and out. The natural oils of the avocado are rich in vitamins, minerals, and beneficial fats.

Avocado oil benefits have long made it a favorite in lotions and serums for the skin. Read more about the benefits of avocado for your skin while trying out last week’s Avocado Honey Facial.

Or if you just love eating avocados, try this avocado banana bread recipe. Don’t forget to save the pit so you can grow avocado from seed!