There aren’t many foods that can be an ingredient in both tacos and ice cream, but the avocado holds that distinction.
Most often treated as a vegetable or a dip base, the avocado is actually a fruit, specifically a member of the berry family, though it’s also used in the preparation of desserts. It has a rich history dating to the 1500s, has a reputation of being an aphrodisiac and is a well-touted natural beauty product. Avocados are an oft-used product in homemade hair conditioners and moisturizers.
Oh, and it’s really good for you, too. Avocados are an excellent source of monounsaturated fats, called healthy fats.
“There is a shift in the nutrition world … to backtrack a little on the low fat craze of the ’70s and ’80s,” said Patrick Wortman, a registered dietitian at the Center for Integrative Medicine. “We’ve really had to rethink that. All fat is not bad. Some fat is necessary in the diet. Without it, you’ll be unhealthy.”
Monounsaturated fats can help reduce bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) and lower risk of heart disease and stroke when used in moderation to replace saturated and trans fats, according to the American Heart Association.