Fat Burning Benefits of Eating Avocado

You can boost your fat burning metabolism by eating foods that contain L-carnitine. Avocado is a rich source of L-carnitine. As an added bonus, it is also an aphrodisiac.

L-carnitine is an amino acid found in your body in the liver. It helps to facilitate fat metabolism, and promotes fat loss. Additionally, it is known to increase energy production in muscle cells and increases blood circulation in the brain.

L-carnitine also helps to reduce triglycerides and increases good cholesterol, which helps to protect the heart. By preventing fat oxidation in the brain, it shows some promise in preventing Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Isn’t L-carnitine sold as a supplement?

Yes, in fact L-carnitine is sold as a weight loss supplement. However, locally grown organic foods are always recommended before supplements. The advantages of eating whole foods is because whole foods offer a variety of health benefits.

What about the high fat content in avocados?

Although avocados are one of the few fruits high in fat, most of the fat is heart-healthy monounsaturated fat; it lowers cholesterol, a hormone that stores abdominal fat, which means it may even shrink belly fat. They are also the fruit richest in beta carotene, vitamin E, and protein.

How does the potassium in avocados reduce belly fat?

In addition to boosting metabolism, avocados are known for reducing anxiety because it is loaded with relaxing magnesium and potassium. Potassium is known for helping to reduce belly fat and it prevents fluid retention. (See link below for foods that help to reduce belly fat).

It also has pantothenic acid, which is a B vitamin, can rev up stress-reducing hormones and can lower your risk of depression. Stress is one of the causes of belly fat.

Other than slicing and eating, how else can it be easily included in the diet?

Avocado is now being suggested as an alternative to mayonnaise – on a sandwich for example. It has 4 grams of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat which lowers cholesterol, 2 grams of fiber and 1 gram of protein per ounce making it a more filling substitue for the mayo.

Locally grown foods are recommended. Where are avocados grown?

These fruits have been cultivated for over 7,000 years; three of the original types were West Indian, Mexican, and Guatemalan. They are now grown in in the USA in California and Florida, (and also in Africa and Australia). Many people grow them in their backyards.

We have been eating avocado as an aprhrodisiac and didn’t know it? Explain!

It is said that the Aztecs made a sexually potent spread from mashed avocados, chiles, onions, and tomatoes and it was called ‘ahuaca-mulli.’ We know this same spread as guacamole. (Say ‘ahuaca-mulli’ fast and it sounds like guacamole – less emphasis on the ‘a’)

How do you select and store avocados?

Avocados will not ripen until after they are picked; avocado tree leaves produce a hormone that inhibits the fruit-ripening chemical ethylene. To tell if it is ripe, squeeze it gently to see if it gives. If you buy it ripe it can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. If it is not ripe you can speed up the ripening process by placing it in a paper bag. I always have success with this ripening method. It may take a few days.

Source: http://hubpages.com/hub/Rev-Up-Your-Metabolism-with-Avocado