Avocados (monounsaturated fatty acids), weight loss and serum lipids

The consumption of diets enriched with monounsaturated fatty acids have been related to a lower rate of coronary heart disease, mainly due to their positive effects on serum lipids. The avocado is a fruit rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and other nutrients, offering protection against coronary heart disease. This article will review the scientific evidence on avocados, and their impact on weight loss and serum lipids. parison with a diet high in saturated fatty acids (SFA), a high MUFA diet decreases LDL-C and TG levels and increases HDL-C levels.1,3 Avocados are a rich food source of MUFA, with a MUFA content of 15.63 g per 100 g of avocado.4 The MUFA, oleic acid (C18:1), is the most prevalent MUFA in the diet, and contributes to 58.6% of the total fatty acids content found in avocados.5 The high concentration of MUFA (oleic acid) in avocado suggests that a diet rich in avocado may have beneficial effects on blood lipids, and could play a significant role in protecting against the development of CHD.6 The first study concerning the health benefits of avocados was published in 1960, investigating the cholesterol-lowering effect of avocados.7 This study stimulated new research on avocados, resulting in the publication of six other studies on the lipid-lowering effect of avocados.6,8-12 South African Avocado Growers' Association Yearbook. 2003. 26:65-71