Science shows that avocados may benefit heart health by increasing our HDL cholesterol.
Avocados and other foods high in monounsaturated fats are often part of heart health recommendations as a replacement for foods high in saturated fats. A new scientific review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which included 18 studies, explored the specific role avocados have in heart health.
The researchers found no impact of avocados on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or triglycerides, but what they did find was that avocado consumption increased concentrations of HDL cholesterol in many of the studies. Typically, reduced risk of heart disease can come from decreasing LDL cholesterol or increasing HDL cholesterol. Many dietary components lower LDL cholesterol, which means there might be possible additive effects when combined with foods that increase HDL cholesterol, like avocados.
