Bollywood Showtime August 2014 | Page 59

Health Food of the Month Avocado Did you know Avocado is actually a Fruit Avocados. Are. The. Best. Fruit. In. The. Whole. World. Fruit, you say? Why yes... it may be hard to believe, but that tasty green thing is not a vegetable, but a fruit -- a berry, to be exact. Honestly, there might be something slightly wrong with you if you don’t like avocado. We could happily eat it everyday -- as long as it’s not a hot avocado ... that’s just gross. Read on to find out things about the avocado you never knew. These are the reasons why you should grab one right now, cradle it, kiss it and thank it. Then eat it -- or put it in on your face. Avocados are really fattening, but in a very good way. They have more fat than any other fruit, but don’t let that deter you from eating them! Avocados are full of incredibly healthy monounsaturated fat. It’s the most amazing kind of fat because it is good for your heart. Still skeptical? Allow the American Heart Association explain why mono-unsaturated fats are the bomb: “[They] help reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. They also provide nutrients to help develop and maintain your body’s cells. Monounsaturated fats are also typically high in vitamin E, an antioxidant vitamin most Americans need more of.” Yes, you read that right. It’s full of a fat that makes your body healthy. Be still our beating hearts. 5 Health Benefits of Avocado 1. Lower Cholesterol Levels 2. Improve Cardiovascular Systems 3. Regulate Blood Sugar Levels 4. Anti-Inflammatory Levels 5. Anti-Cancer Benefits How to pick the perfect ripe Avocado Take a peek under the dry little button on the stem end. If it’s green, then you will be rewarded with a perfect avocado. If it’s brown, then you will find a brown slimy mess inside. August 2014 59