7 Impressive Benefits of Eating an Avocado Daily

Avocados are my favorite food.

They are super nutritious and rich in nutrients that many Americans lack, like potassium. You might be surprised that they even have more potassium than bananas.

Despite coming of age in the “low-fat” 80s, I don't worry about “too much fat” in an avocado. They contain the fats that keep you and your cells, skin, and mind young and healthy.

I’ve gone months on end eating a whole avocado every day, without gaining weight.

If you’re looking for a simple way to boost your nutrition, here are seven science-backed reasons to enjoy an avocado daily.

[Want an easy way to enjoy more avocados this Spring? Our upcoming, FREE 9-Day Green Smoothie Challenge features an avocado smoothie you'll love! Plus, daily recipes, a shopping list, insider tips, and a friendly, supportive community led by our beloved health coach Helen. Join today here – for free.]

What you'll discover when you read this article:

• Daily avocado for energy
• Daily avocado for youthful skin
• Boost your gut health with daily avocado
• Daily avocado for better brain function and memory
• A daily avocado for weight maintenance
• Daily avocado for a healthy heart
• Daily avocado for eye health
• Healthy recipes made with avocados

7 Daily Avocado Health Benefits You’ll Love

Avocados are loaded with vitamins and minerals essential for optimal health.

• Vitamin K for strong bones
• Vitamin E for skin protection
• B vitamins for energy metabolism
• Antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health
• Healthy fats for healthy cell membranes and a healthy nervous system

If you often feel sluggish or experience energy crashes, adding avocados to your daily diet may help.

Avocados are packed with healthy, whole-food fats (always better than processed oils), fiber, and essential vitamins–

–that support steady energy levels and reduce fatigue. Unlike processed carb snacks that cause quick spikes and crashes in blood sugar, the whole-food monounsaturated fats in avocados provide a slow-burning fuel source to keep you energized for longer.

Additionally, avocados are rich in B vitamins, including B6 and folate, which play a key role in energy metabolism by helping your body convert food into usable energy. They also contain magnesium, a mineral that supports muscle function and helps prevent fatigue.

Plus, with their high fiber content, avocados promote stable blood sugar levels, preventing the dips that can lead to sluggishness.

When a Glamour magazine beauty editor ate avocados daily for a month,¹ she said her increase in energy levels (feeling less groggy and tired) was the main reason she wanted to keep eating them every day.

Additionally, avocados are one of the foods that boost your dopamine levels and zest for life naturally.

Could eating an avocado daily be the secret to firmer, more elastic skin? A recent UCLA study² suggests it might be.

Researchers found that women who consumed an avocado daily for eight weeks experienced significant improvements in skin elasticity and firmness, particularly on the forehead, compared to those who didn’t.

Dr. Zhaoping Li, chief of clinical nutrition at UCLA, emphasizes that skin health starts from within.

While topical treatments have their place, nothing can replace the true radiance from nourishing your body with the right foods. Avocados, rich in monounsaturated fats, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds, play a key role in maintaining youthful skin.

If you want your skin to be young and vibrant, the best approach is not just topicals but improving your whole diet. When you care for your entire body with proper nutrition, your skin will reflect that.

Avocados are packed with dietary fiber³ – about 13.5 grams per fruit, nearly half the recommended daily intake of 28 to 34 grams. Fiber is essential for feeding beneficial gut bacteria, which ferment it into short-chain fatty acids that support digestive health.

Research backs up this gut-friendly benefit. A 2021 study⁴ published in The Journal of Nutrition found that people who ate avocados daily had a greater abundance of fiber-fermenting bacteria, higher short-chain fatty acid production, and lower levels of bile acids that can cause gut inflammation.

Since excessive bile acids are linked to digestive issues and gallbladder problems, keeping them in check may contribute to better long-term gut health.

By enjoying an avocado each day, you’re not just indulging in a creamy, nutrient-dense fruit but also promoting a balanced and thriving gut microbiome.

Eating avocados daily could be a simple way to support brain health and prevent cognitive decline.

Avocados contain lutein, a potent carotenoid that crosses the blood-brain barrier and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help protect brain cells. Research suggests lutein is crucial in maintaining cognitive function, especially as we age.

A 2020 study⁵ in the International Journal of Psychophysiology found that lutein, which makes up the majority of carotenoids in the brain, may enhance cognitive function.

Additionally, a 2021 study⁶ in Frontiers in Nutrition found that older adults who regularly ate avocado or guacamole performed significantly better on cognitive tests, particularly in memory-related tasks.

Since memory decline is one of the earliest signs of neurodegenerative diseases, incorporating avocados into your diet may help support long-term brain health and mental sharpness.

Despite being calorie-dense, avocados can support weight management. A 2022 study⁷ in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that people who ate one avocado daily for six months maintained stable body weight, showing that avocados don’t contribute to weight gain.

Additionally, a 2021 study⁸ in The Journal of Nutrition found that daily avocado consumption may help reduce visceral fat in women, a key factor in metabolic health.

The secret lies in their fiber and monounsaturated fat content. Fiber increases satiety, helping you feel full longer, while monounsaturated fats, especially oleic acid, may reduce fat storage when consumed in healthy amounts.⁹

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., but a heart-healthy diet can significantly lower your risk. Avocados are packed with key nutrients – monounsaturated fats, potassium, magnesium, fiber, folate, and antioxidants – that support cardiovascular health.

A 2022 study¹⁰ in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that regular avocado consumption is linked to a 16% to 22% lower risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease. Replacing less healthy fats, like butter or processed meats, with avocado can further reduce risk.

Additionally, a 2020 study¹¹ in The Journal of Nutrition found that avocados help lower oxidized LDL cholesterol, contributing to artery blockages. With their ability to regulate blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce inflammation, avocados are a delicious and effective way to support long-term heart health.

Eating avocados daily can help protect and maintain eye health, thanks to their high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin – two powerful carotenoids that act as natural antioxidants.

Research shows that diets rich in lutein and zeaxanthin are linked to better visual function and a lower risk of eye diseases. Unlike many other sources of these nutrients, avocados contain healthy fats that enhance their absorption, making them ideal for eye protection.

Additionally, avocados provide vitamin E, another antioxidant that helps prevent eye damage caused by free radicals.

Incorporating avocados into your daily diet gives your eyes the nutrients they need to stay healthy and function optimally for years.

Avocados are versatile ingredients, with a buttery texture and mild flavor.

Enjoy them on avocado toast for breakfast, in a green smoothie, in salads and sandwiches, in guacamole, and even in dessert. With so many options, it will be easy for you to consume avocados daily.

Here are a few great options to try:

• Avocado Almond Salad — This recipe is tangy, crunchy, and everything you could want in a healthy salad you’ll want to eat often.

• Avocado Almond Sandwich — I first ate these sandwiches on the road while doing a lecture tour. Made with sprouted almonds, they are delicious, and my kids loved them, too.

• Avocado Chocolate Pudding — You’ll love this healthy treat option with a smooth, velvety consistency.

My favorite thing to do with an avocado is to mash it up, add a little lemon juice, pepper, and salsa, and eat it with some healthy chips.

[Related: 3 Healthy Alternatives to Chips]

Avocado’s texture also makes it an excellent substitute for fats in baking, offering a healthier alternative without compromising taste.

[Related: 6 Easy Swaps for Healthier Treat Recipes]

The Bottom Line on Consuming Daily Avocados

Eating avocados daily is a delicious and easy way to improve your gut health, support weight management, protect your heart, and fuel your body with essential nutrients.

Whether enjoyed in a salad, smoothie, or on toast, this nutrient powerhouse is worth adding to your daily routine

 

Don't miss our upcoming Spring 9-Day Green Smoothie Challenge – featuring an avocado smoothie you'll love!