10 Avocado Health Benefits to Celebrate National Avocado Day

Avocados are one of the most popular fruits in the United States. And not just because of avocado toast or the fact that it's delicious. Avocados are known for being a healthy source of fat with a long list of health benefits.

Think about it. When you go to the grocery store, how many items have you noticed that use avocado? The benefits aren't limited to eating, either. Avocados can make your hair and skin glow.

A big benefit to incorporating avocados into your diet is how versatile they are. You can eat them alone, with a little salt, on eggs, burritos, rice bowls, with chips, on toast, and more.

Considering avocados are important, it isn't surprising that a National Avocado Day exists. It's an annual day that falls on July 31. So to celebrate National Avocado Day, click through the slideshow for 10 health benefits of eating and using avocados. For this slideshow, we used research from health sources like Healthline, Harvard Health, and WebMD.

It's important to note that while we are discussing potential health benefits of using and eating avocados, it's best to consult your doctor or nutritionist when wanting to make changes to your diet.

You don't have to rely on just eating bananas to get your potassium fix. Instead, avocados offer a lot of potassium. Half of a medium-sized avocado contains about 364 mg of potassium.

But why is potassium so important? Potassium regulates heartbeats, moves nutrients into cells, and can reduce your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. Not consuming enough potassium can lead to muscle weakness, fatigue, and abnormal heart rhythms.

Another health benefit of eating avocados is that they are high in fiber. So, not only do you protect your heart, but also your gut.

A medium-sized avocado contains around 9 to 14 g of fiber. At its highest (14 g), that is about half of the daily recommended serving.

Because of how nutritious avocados are, they can also potentially boost your eyesight and overall eye health.

According to WebMD, avocados contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which help absorb light waves that can hurt your eyes. On top of this, avocados are filled with antioxidants, which reduce your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.

The word fat can scare a lot of people away from eating specific foods, but there are such things as 'healthy' and 'good' fats. One of these is avocados.

So many nutritionists swear up and down that avocados are made up of good fat, which is why avocado oil is recommended compared to canola oil. Monounsaturated fats, which are in avocados, can help lower LDL (a.k.a 'bad' cholesterol).

Eating just avocados won't fully prevent you from developing diabetes, but they can help you manage your symptoms if you have it.

Some experts suggest that avocados can reduce the risk of diabetes and further complications from this sugar-related illness. Adding half of an avocado to your meal can lower insulin, which is also great for people with insulin resistance.

What better way to get your recommended daily dose of vitamins than by eating an avocado? Although it isn't the only thing you should eat all day, it can help.

One serving of a medium-sized avocado contains plenty of vitamin K1, C, E, B6, and Folate.

While avocados aren't going to completely get rid of any mental health illnesses like depression, because of their vitamins, they can aid in boosting your mood.

Folate and vitamin B can boost your mood and are important for people suffering from mood-related disorders. However, you should always talk to your doctor for any concerns.

Weight loss is a little more complicated than just eating an avocado a day; however, it can help you on your journey. Because avocados are high in fiber and 'good' fat, this encourages weight loss and a healthy weight.

Studies have found that people who eat a high-fiber diet are more likely to maintain healthier bodies. Avocados can also keep you full and satiated.

Who says you only need to eat avocados to remain healthy? There are other options. Plenty of shampoos and conditioners include avocados as an ingredient to help nourish, add protein to your hair, and smooth it.

DIY avocado hair masks are popular, especially for those with curly and thick hair that needs more moisture.

Considering avocados are great for your hair, why wouldn't they be good for your skin? Avocados can boost your skin's health by keeping it smooth and soft.

Using products with avocado or creating an avocado face mask can reduce your risk of aging-related spots and marks, while also hydrating your skin so it glows. Avocados can also help with lowering redness and inflammation and decreasing your chances of acne breakouts.