Avocados are rich in nutrients. But many people are not aware that avocado seeds are also an integral part of this superfood. As the old saying goes, “waste not, want not.”
Is It Safe To Eat Avocado Seeds?
Unlike the pits of other fruits, avocado seeds do not contain cyanide. Instead, avocado seeds contain tannins, the same naturally occurring polyphenol found in red wine and green tea. While tannins are mildly toxic; however, you would have to consume a ridiculously huge amount before you’d notice any negative side effects.
In a 2013 study published in the Scientific World Journal, researchers concluded that avocado seed extract at doses below 250mg/kg was safe and it did not show any toxicity.
All The Nutrients Are In The Avocado Seeds
According to this study, “the seed holds 70 percent of the avocado’s antioxidants, including the well-respected polyphenols associated with green tea.” It’s also packed with soluble fiber and healthy oils.
The flesh of the avocado has been immensely studied, especially by the cardiovascular health community, and found to produce positive effects against blood lipids.
It contains potassium which assist in the promotion of normalized blood pressure. Avocado flesh also provides lutein that controls both oxidative and inflammatory stress.
1. Fights Cancer
Phenols are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in numerous plants, including the avocado and its seed.