The health and beauty benefits of avocado seeds are so numerous that you’ll have to think twice before throwing them away again
Avocados are a superfood that many people love to eat.
However, most of us throw away the large seed, not realizing that it is edible and offers many health benefits. In fact, the seeds contain much higher antioxidant, fiber and phenolic content than the flesh.you’ve been hearing about the goodness of avocado seeds and are just about to dismiss the claim as a recent fad, hang in there. South American folk medicine was clued in to the benefits of avocado seeds long before we caught on. In places where the avocado originated, people have been using avocado seeds for ages to treat everything from diabetes to dysentery – even snakebite. And not just for health; avocado seeds are used for beauty and cosmetic purposes too, with the seed powder used to treat dandruff and an ointment made from it used as a rouge-like cosmetic. Thankfully for the skeptics among us, modern science has been able to back up many of these uses.
Avocado seed decoctions are popular in South American cultures to treat diabetes, diarrhea, kidney stones, and even snakebite. Add the antioxidant-rich seed powder to your smoothie to lower BP and cholesterol, manage diabetes, and protect kidney and liver tissues. Start with 1/2 tsp and limit daily consumption to half a seed. Apply the seed paste on your skin to prevent UV damage and to cure fungal infections.
Before consuming the seed, which has a bitter and astringent flavor, remove the fine layer of brown skin that covers it. Then, grate the seed or grind it into a powder using a coffee bean grinder or a high-powered blender.
You can use the powder as a garnish in salads, soups or stews or simply add a spoonful of it to your juice or smoothie recipe.
You can even use it to make an infusion by boiling 1 tablespoon of the powder in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes, then allowing it to sit for another 5 minutes before drinking.
AMAZING BENEFITS OF AVOCADO SEEDS
Supports Weight Loss
The antioxidant-rich seeds help burn fat to aid weight loss. Their soluble fiber content lowers your appetite and provides you a feeling of fullness for several hours. This prevents you from eating calorie-rich snacks.
In addition, the pit contains calcium, magnesium and potassium that support overall health, fitness recovery and weight loss.
For weight loss, make a smoothie with ½ of an avocado seed (ground), 1 green apple, the juice of 1 lemon, ½ of a banana, ½ cup of spinach and 1 tablespoon of ginger.
Reduces Inflammation
The antioxidants like catechins and procyanidins in avocado seeds help reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness due to inflammation. Apart from having good antioxidant properties, the seeds are also rich in anti-inflammatory properties.
Thus, the seeds are beneficial for reducing inflammatory diseases within the body, which include acne, asthma, sinusitis, atherosclerosis, celiac disease, hay fever, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, interstitial cystitis, and even cancer.
Eat about 1 to 2 tablespoons of avocado seed powder daily. You can even use the avocado seed oil to massage aching joints or muscles to reduce pain and soreness.
Exfoliates Skin
Avocado seed powder also works as a natural exfoliant for your skin. It helps remove dead skin cells, excess sebum and other impurities from the skin.
Buildup of dead skin cells makes your skin look older and even leads to acne by clogging up your pores.
The antioxidants in avocado seed powder also help repair and nourish dry and damaged skin and give it an incredible glow.
Mix 1 tablespoon of avocado seed powder with 1 teaspoon each of olive oil and honey.Use this mixture to gently massage your body using circular motions.Wait 15 minutes before taking a bath.Use this scrub once or twice a week.
Makes Hair Shiny
Another good use of avocado seeds is making your own shampoo out of them. This homemade shampoo will be free of toxic ingredients and help make your hair thick and soft. It also helps reduce graying.
Wash and pat dry 3 or 4 avocado seeds.Grate the seeds using a grater.Add the grated seeds to 6 cups of water and bring it to a boil, then simmer it for 20 to 30 minutes.Allow it to cool, then strain it.Mix this infusion with ¼ cup of your herbal shampoo and store it in a bottle.Use it to wash your hair as needed.
You can also massage avocado seed oil into your hair to make it strong and shiny.
Can Treat Aches And Pains
Because the seed has a local anesthetic effect, along with an ability to reduce inflammation and increase blood circulation, in folk cultures, its paste is used to reduce muscle pain and even treat arthritis. The seed or its decoction is also placed in the tooth cavity to cure toothache.
May Be Useful For Contraception
Some South American cultures like the Quechua and the Siyona-Secoya also use the seed decoction as a contraceptive. They consider it safe to use as it does not cause permanent sterility. The decoction is made by boiling the seed in 4–5 cups of water for 15 minutes till it turns bright red. It is then had during menstruation.
With regard to using avocado seeds for menstruation, traditional usage seems tricky. While the Quechua and the Siyona-Secoya use it to stop menstruation, in some parts of Colombia, the seed tea is used to bring on menstruation. So hold off on using the seed for this particular effect.
Eases Stomach and Bowel Problems
The antioxidants and fiber found in the seeds are great for your digestive system. In fact, the seeds contain more soluble fiber than the flesh of the fruit.
The powder of avocado seeds can help prevent and relieve constipation naturally. It is even beneficial for gastric ulcers, diarrhea, and other digestive issues.
Include avocado seed powder in your diet to help your digestive tract perform at its prime. It will also ensure proper functioning of the pancreas, liver and gallbladder.
Lowers High Cholesterol
It is a known fact that the pulp of avocados is a good source of monounsaturated fats that can help reduce high levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol) and raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol) levels.
The seeds also possess cholesterol-lowering properties. They contain nourishing oil, rich in antioxidants that have the ability to lower high cholesterol levels.
In addition, the seeds are one of the best sources of soluble fiber, which is good for overall heart health. the positive effects of soluble dietary fiber on LDL cholesterol and the risk of coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases.
avocado seeds are a good source of bioactive phytochemicals that may help lower high cholesterol and high blood pressure as well as boost your immunity.
Fights Cancer
Avocado seeds also possess cancer-fighting properties. They contain flavonols, a class of flavonoids that include compounds like quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin, which work as powerful antioxidants to help prevent and reduce tumor growths.
Plus, the healthy fat in avocado seeds can wipe out leukemia stem cells, while leaving healthy cells unharmed. In a 2013 study published in Pharmaceutical Biology, researchers found that extract from avocado fruit and seeds caused leukemia cells to self-destruct.
Cancer Research notes that avocatin B, a lipid derived from avocado fruit, is a novel compound with cytotoxic activity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It helps reduce primary AML cell viability without any effect on normal peripheral blood stem cells.
Lowers High Blood Pressure
People suffering from high blood pressure, or hypertension, should never throw away the pit after eating an avocado. Avocado seeds are very high in potassium, which is a good vasodilator. This nutrient helps relax the tension of blood vessels and arteries, thus lowering high blood pressure.
Potassium also lessens the effect of sodium, which in turn regulates blood pressure. A 2005 study published in Hypertension notes that increased intake of potassium-rich foods has the same lowering effect on blood pressure as potassium chloride.When your blood pressure is at an optimum level, it indirectly reduces your risk of heart disease and strokes.
Delays Aging Process
The seeds can even delay the aging process. The powerful antioxidants fight off free radicals, which cause huge damage to healthy skin cells. This in turn accelerates skin aging and promotes wrinkles, age spots, sun damage, fine lines and sagging skin.
The oil made from avocado seeds increases collagen in your skin, which is important for youthful, firm and smooth skin.
Use avocado oil to massage your body to accelerate new skin cell generation and promote circulation in the body. This will help reverse aging and keep you looking young for years.
Strengthens Immunity
Avocado seeds have strong antioxidant properties. In fact, the seeds contain more than 70 percent of the antioxidants found in the entire fruit.
Antioxidants keep free radicals at bay, which in turn boosts your immune system and keeps you safe from bacterial, viral and fungal infections.
Food Chemistry concludes that avocado seeds, among other fruit seeds like those in mangos, tamarinds and jackfruits, have an even greater level of antioxidant activity than the more commonly eaten parts of the fruits.
Include avocado seed powder in your smoothie or juice on a regular basis to strengthen your immune system and protect yourself during the cold and flu season.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Herbalists in Nigeria recommend mixing the seed powder into soups, paps, and puddings to treat hypertension or high blood pressure. And science is now being able to back this use.
When taken in the right dose, avocado seed extract can lower blood pressure.
A study on rats with high blood pressure found that water extract of avocado seeds can reduce blood pressure by reducing the total cholesterol levels, LDLs, and the triglycerol levels, and increasing the HDLs or the “good cholesterol.”
But the helpful effect of the seed extract depends on the dose as a high concentration of antioxidants in the seed can cause hypothyroidism, which in turn increases the cholesterol levels.
Has Anti-Diabetic Effects
In South American cultures, avocado seed decoction or hot-water extract is used to manage diabetes. A 2013 study concurs, adding that the hot-water extract of avocado seeds can even protect liver, pancreatic, and kidney tissues. But for it to be able to manage diabetes effectively, the seed extract must be taken orally for a prolonged period of time.
Avocado seed extract can lower diabetes and protect liver, pancreatic, and kidney tissues.
The anti-diabetic effect of avocado seeds is due to its calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc, and chromium content. These elements regulate key enzymes involved in the formation of glucose and help the body use existing glucose better, thus fighting diabetes. The seed also contains other glucose-lowering antioxidants like flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins, and alkaloids.
Has Anti-Fungal And Anti-Bacterial Effects
Traditionally, avocado seed has been used in its countries of origin as a treatment for parasitic and fungal infections. Modern research attributes this to the various natural anti-fungal plant chemicals like phytosterols, triterpenes, fatty acids, furanoic acids, and flavonol dimers in it.
Avocado seed extract can be as potent as or even more so than a standard dose of streptomycin when it comes to treating certain fungal and bacterial infections.
A study also compared the potency of avocado seed extract on disease-causing fungi and bacteria (including those that cause typhoid, gonorrhea, and pneumonia) with a standard 30 mcg dose of the antibiotic medicine streptomycin. In a few cases, depending on the medium, avocado seed extract worked better than streptomycin, thanks to these plant chemicals.
Helps With Diarrhea And Bladder Problems
The Mayans used avocado seed decoction to treat bladder problems and the grated seed as a condiment in their cooking sauces. The decoction of the seed has been, and still is, used in folk medicine to treat dysentery and diarrhea. It is also anti-inflammatory for the liver. Also known to function as a diuretic, it can eliminate uric acid and treat kidney stones.
Helps The Skin Against Sun Damage
Avocado seed extracts have also been found to reverse or manage the skin damage and inflammation caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV rays can cause skin cancer by DNA damage. But the unique lipid molecules and polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols (PFA) in avocado stop the condition before it progresses to cancer.
Avocado seed extract can prevent skin damage caused by UV rays
an oil-based composition made from grated avocado seed, sulfur, castor oil, cod liver oil, peppermint spirit, orange water, and camphor for the treatment of dry scalp and dry skin conditions. The mixture was to be applied on the affected area for a substantial period of time and then shampooed or washed off for best results.
In traditional medicine, the seed powder is used to cure dandruff and the seed oil is used to treat skin eruptions.
CAUTION WITH USE OF AVOCADO SEEDS
Have Avocado Seeds In Limited Quantity
Having discussed the benefits, let’s now address the topic of a raging debate: should you at all have avocado seed? Isn’t it supposed to be poisonous? The California Avocado Commission claims that avocado seeds contain elements unintended for human consumption, but does not mention which elements. They could be possibly referring to persin, because of which avocado is toxic to certain animals. But persin is not toxic to human beings. The seeds also contain certain chemicals that can break down into cyanide, which is harmful, but the amount is too low to cause any damage.
It’s Not Toxic Unless You Overdose
A 2013 study finds that the seed can be toxic when eaten in large amounts – large being the operative word here – but doesn’t cause any genetic damage. The researchers also go on to say that they hope the seed and its extracts could be used in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical material.
Your Doubts Answered
Are Avocado Seeds Safe To Eat?
EXPERT OPINION
The seed of avocados is where most of the nutritional benefits are. It contains 70% of the fruit’s antioxidants that help regulate your intestinal functions along with polyphenols, the same ones that are associated with green tea. The seeds are also very high in fibers! Just keep in mind that the idea of eating the avocado seed is a recent one and there are not many experiments done on the subject of the long-term effects of eating avocado Seeds.
Another study recommends that you should have it to lower your cholesterol and gain benefits from the antioxidants which are present in higher quantities in the seed than in the fruit flesh.
Have no more than half the seed in one day. High doses may have an abortion-inducing effect.
Let’s not dismiss eating avocado seeds as a passing fad. Modern science has been able to back up many of these folk uses through animal studies and in vitro studies using avocado seed extracts.
From anecdotal evidence, we see that the benefits are many and the risks few, which include stomach upset and allergic reaction.
If you have latex allergy, please do stay away from both the fruit and the seed.
And to avoid stomach problems, start with a small dose of this bitter seed, say half a teaspoon. In fact, half the seed should be your maximum daily limit, anyway. High doses might also have an abortive action.
Use Avocado Seeds In Tea Or In Smoothies
Smoothies: Dry it or dehydrate it in the microwave oven and grind it into a powder. Mix it into smoothies or use as garnish for salads.
Avocado seed tea: Put chunks of the seed in a tea infuser and pour boiling water over it. To mask the bitter taste of the seed, add honey or other natural sweeteners.
How Often Can I Drink Avocado Seed Tea?
EXPERT OPINION
Similar to anything, it is better to have it in moderation, even healthy foods. Eating or drinking a lot of avocado seeds can result in constipation because it is high in tannin.
And As Face Mask And Shampoo
Face mask: Dry it and grind it and mix with mashed banana, avocado pulp, and olive oil to make a quick DIY face-exfoliating mask.
Shampoo: Boil grated avocado seed in water. Let it cool. Strain it and mix it to a small portion of your regular shampoo for soft, thick hair. The saponins in it have soap-like function.
Will Eating Avocado Seeds Interact With Any Medication?
EXPERT OPINION
It is always better to double check with your doctor or holistic health practitioner before introducing a new item to your diet. Start with small quantities and monitor how you feel. If all goes well, you can start increasing quantities or have it more regularly.
Eating or drinking a lot of avocado seeds can result in constipation because it is high in tannin
