Unlock Better Sleep and Heart Health: The Surprising Benefits of Daily Avocado Consumption

A recent study highlights a surprising benefit of eating an avocado daily: better sleep. Researchers found that people who enjoyed one avocado each day for six months slept better than those who rarely ate avocados. This adds to the growing evidence that avocados are good for heart health, a topic of increasing interest in nutrition.

According to the CDC, quality sleep is as vital as diet and exercise for overall health. In fact, the American Heart Association (AHA) considers healthy sleep one of eight key factors influencing heart health. This connection between sleep and daily avocado consumption is new, making it a fascinating area for further research.

“This study invites us to explore how nutrition, particularly foods like avocados, plays a role in enhancing heart health through better sleep,” says Dr. Kristina Petersen, a prominent nutrition scientist. “While no single food is a cure-all, avocados offer nutrients that support heart health.”

The study included 969 diverse American adults with a larger waist size, a common risk factor for cardiovascular issues. Participants were split into two groups: one consumed one avocado per day, while the other group had little to no avocado. They maintained their usual diets for half a year.

Researchers used the AHA’s Life’s Essential 8™ to measure health impacts, including diet quality and sleep. Those eating avocados reported improvements in their diet, showing better blood lipids, including lower LDL cholesterol levels. They also self-reported longer sleep durations. However, the study didn’t explore the other six health factors significantly.

Although this wasn’t the primary goal of the study, the link between avocado consumption and improved sleep opens new doors for future exploration. It raises questions about how the nutrients in avocados can aid cardiovascular health.

Here are some nutrients in a serving of avocado (about 1/3 of a medium avocado) that may help improve sleep:

• Tryptophan (13 mg) – a precursor to melatonin, which regulates sleep.
• Folate (45 mcg) – plays a role in producing melatonin.
• Magnesium (15 mg) – helps with muscle relaxation.

Besides aiding sleep, avocados bring additional benefits that support heart health:

• Fiber (3 g) – helps lower cholesterol, reducing heart disease risks.
• Monounsaturated fat (5 g) – can lower LDL cholesterol levels as well.

Amid the food is medicine movement, encouraging healthier dietary choices like including avocados could be vital. To assist healthcare providers, a free cookbook, Heart-Healthy Recipes Featuring Avocados, is available to inspire tasty and nutritious meal prep.

For more details, check the study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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Sleep, Blood, Cholesterol, Diet, Exercise, Food, Healthcare, Heart, Heart Disease, Lipids, Melatonin, Nutrients, Nutrition, Research