Several years ago I began eating half an avocado each day because they made me feel great. It wasn’t long before I learned that pairing avocado with other foods, such as eggs, would help me avoid the repercussions of acidity. As time went on, I learned more about healthy food pairing and in my most recent studies of pH balancing I believe avocados are the perfect food because not only are they alkalizing, but they are hydrating and energizing fuel for your body.

Avocados are a great source of:

Protein
Monounsaturated fats
Essential fatty acids
Plant sterols
Chlorophyll

Avocados are highly nutrient dense without the starch and very little sugar. They are an easily digested rich source of fats (including essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6) and proteins being comprised of 80% healthy fat and 15% protein along with essential amino acids (which are the building blocks of proteins). The good fats are essential in cellular formation and help lower cholesterol. Avocados are a wonderful energy source for the body to burn as fuel rather than glucose (or even protein) because they do not leave the acidic waste behind like glucose. People with type-1 and type-2 diabetes would be well advised to incorporate avocado into their diets for this reason!

This super fruit also contain oleic acid, which is a healthy, unsaturated fat that not only supports weight loss and lowers blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels (aided by plant sterols) but it also can help suppress appetite. Their high concentration of plant sterols have also shown to inhibit the growth of tumors in animal studies.

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As far as nutrients go, avocados are jam packed with them including:^*

Calories: 322
Fat: 30 grams
Protein: 4 grams
Carbs: 17 grams
Fiber: 14 grams (digestive support)
Vitamin C: 22% of the daily value
Vitamin E: 28% of the DV (the highest fruit source of this vitamin) – slows the aging process, protects against heart disease, and powerful buffer of acids
Vitamin K: 35% of the DV
Riboflavin (B2): 20% of the DV
Niacin (B3): 22% of the DV
Pantothenic acid (B5): 56% of the DV
Pyridoxine (B6): 30% of the DV
Folate: 41% of the DV
Magnesium: 14% of the DV
Potassium: 21% of the DV (required for blood pressure regulation and nervous system function)
Copper: 42% of the DV
Manganese: 12% of the DV

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Avocados also contain:

Glutathione: buffers dietary and metabolic acids to prevent cancerous conditions and heart disease
Lutein: a carotenoid helping to prevent some types of cancerous conditions (prostate, cervix & eye health)

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The following alkaline buffering minerals that can be found in avocados include:

Magnesium
Copper & Iron (for red blood cell regeneration)
Calcium
Ionic sodium
Potassium (more than bananas)

In conclusion, it is easy to see that avocados are a great fruit to consider adding to your diet and can be consumed in a variety of ways. You can eat them sliced with a squirt of lemon, make guacamole, mix into homemade mayo, or add them to salads, sandwiches, egg dishes and even eat them with tomatoes slices. Fresh avocados will ripen in two to three weeks at room temperature and will last even longer if refrigerated.

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Sources:

* FoodData Central
PubMed
The pH Miracle: Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health By Shelley Redford Young, Robert O. Young PhD

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