Avocados May Help with Diabetes

Does your older family member eat avocadoes on a regular basis? If not, they may want to start. Not only are avocados a delicious addition to many dishes, new research indicates that avocadoes may be a beneficial food for people who have diabetes. And, it’s all thanks to a substance that is found only in avocadoes.

How Avocadoes Might Benefit Diabetics

Home Care Salisbury, NC:Avocados May Help with Diabetes

The bodies of people with diabetes are either unable to make enough insulin to manage blood sugar or are unable to effectively use the insulin the body does make. Researchers conducted a study using mice to determine if a substance in avocadoes, dubbed AvoB, was beneficial in helping the body to regulate blood sugar.

At the start of the study, the scientists fed mice a diet that was high in fat for 8 weeks. The objective was to promote obesity and insulin resistance. Then, they added AvoB to the diets of half the mice for 5 weeks. At the end of the study, the researchers found that the mice who had been consuming AvoB had not gained as much weight as the other mice. They also had lower rates of insulin resistance.

Other Health Benefits of Avocadoes

The study isn’t conclusive. More research is needed to make a definite determination about the effectiveness in AvoB for benefiting diabetics. Even if it doesn’t prove beneficial, there are lots of other reasons for older adults to add avocadoes to their diet, such as:

• Nutrition: Avocadoes are loaded with a variety of nutrients, including vitamins K, C, B5, B6, and E. They also contain potassium and folate
• Healthy Fat: Avocadoes contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
• Fiber: Avocadoes contain about 7 grams of fiber. Fiber can help keep older adults feeling full for longer, so they consume fewer calories. Because fiber takes the body longer to digest, it can also prevent blood sugar spikes.
• Antioxidants: Avocadoes help the body to use the antioxidant contained in other plants. They also contain antioxidants of their own.

Besides being loaded with healthy substances, avocadoes are also delicious and versatile. While your older family member might enjoy just eating some slices of avocado, they are also good in lots of different dishes. Some people like mashed avocado spread on toast. It’s also great sliced into salads. Avocado is also used to make guacamole, a popular topping in Mexican dishes.

If your aging relative is interested in adding avocado to their diet, a home care provider can help. Home care providers can peel and cut avocadoes, which can be tricky for older adults who have less mobility in their fingers. Home care providers can also prepare dishes that use avocadoes, such as sandwiches, salads, and more.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care in Salisbury, NC, contact the caring professionals at TenderHearted Home Care today. Call us at (704) 207-0265.

Sources

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326964.php#1

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-proven-benefits-of-avocado

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/23-ways-to-eat-avocados