Our time spent battling an invisible enemy has urged many of us to seek healthier food choices. Many are rediscovering the benefits of the everyday food they eat, like that of avocados.
It is known that avocados are a good source of good fats, which is good for your health. However, Science experts claim that there are also dangers of consuming too much avocados.
Here are some possible side effects of having too much avocados.
1. There is a possibility of gaining weight.
Without a doubt, avocados have earned their title as one of the superfoods because of their vitamin, fiber, and healthy monounsaturated fat content. However, according to Health.com, too much of a good thing is not necessarily better.
A spokesperson for the California Avocado Commission (CAC), Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, says that like with any food, it's good to be mindful of portion sizes.
Although avocados are nutrient-dense, they are also high in fat and calories, with an average size containing 250 to 320 calories. At the same time, the recommended serving size is ⅓ of a medium fruit. As a result, the overconsumption of avocados could lead to weight gain over time.
2. Missing out on other essential nutrients
Overloading on avocados could also lead to missing out on other essential nutrients that your body needs. When a high percentage of your calorie intake comes from fat, you might not feel hungry to complete your full meal.
This means that you may not want to eat other foods due to the high fat and fiber content in avocado.
3. Suffering from adverse GI effects
Adverse reactions to certain foods are not just due to food allergies. According to Livestrong, avocados contain small-chain carbohydrates called polyols that can have a laxative-like effect.
In addition, sensitivity to avocados can cause bloating, gas, or upset stomach up to 48 hours after eating it.
Read also: Dangers of Eating Fast Food Every Day as Claimed by Science
4. Overconsumption of fiber
While it is true that fiber is essential for health, having too much at one meal can lead to bloating, abdominal pain, and constipation.
Additionally, fiber overloading can be problematic for those with irritable bowel syndrome or other gastrointestinal disorders. Half of the daily recommended fiber intake can be achieved with a single avocado.
5. Possibility of experiencing inflammation
Most people would highlight the fact that avocados mostly contain monounsaturated fat. However, most people forgot to note that it also contains about 3.2 grams of saturated fat per 1-cup serving, which means 15% of the fat in avocados is saturated.
This is vital to take note of since too much saturated fat can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol.
According to Andres Ayesta, a registered dietitian, saturated fats can increase inflammation in the arteries after a single meal. Unfortunately, this can lead to heart diseases over time. This only becomes a concern if an individual consumes avocado too much.
He also says that it's essential to look at avocado intake within the context of someone's overall diet. Naturally, a person who needs more calories in a day will require more fat as well.
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