Why I’m now an advocate for the health benefits of avocados

I was recently sitting in the living room, writing this week’s column, when my nephew Dylan sat down with his breakfast. He’s been staying with my wife, Jill, and me for several months, and I’ve noticed he eats a lot of avocado toast. When I asked him what he thought of it, he said he loved avocado.

I’ve never tried it, and I don’t remember seeing avocado on many restaurant menus when I was growing up. I was curious about the reason for the food’s recent jump in popularity.

Because I’m a journalist, I decided to research it, simply searching “love of avocado.” Apparently, avocados bring joy to many people. I found sayings on the internet like “When life gives you avocados, toast them,” “Spread the avocado toast love,” and “Life happens, avocado helps.”

The more I read, the more I discovered that while avocados may spark happiness, they’re also considered a superfood and offer various health benefits, particularly for the heart and brain.

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I learned that avocado is rich in vitamins C, E, K, and B6, as well as folate and potassium, all of which contribute to overall well-being. Avocados also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to improved cognitive function and memory. These healthy fats can help support brain health, which may be especially important for Jill and others who have Huntington’s disease (HD).

Those with HD could also benefit from the high levels of folate in avocados. This nutrient, also known as folic acid or vitamin B9, is known to support the production of dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters responsible for regulating mood. Simply put, eating avocados could potentially enhance one’s mood and promote a positive outlook on life. That’s important, not only because living with HD can be emotionally challenging, but because depression is a common symptom of the disease.

Spreading the word

When Jill came into the room, I was bursting with excitement. I wanted to share all of my avocado wisdom. Jill sat next to me as I dazzled her with my newfound knowledge.

After she got over the disappointment of me not making a pun (trust me, that was a joke, as my wife doesn’t find me punny), she admitted that she was impressed. “You’re right,” she said, and followed up with the idea that we should both try to work avocados into our diet.

I may have made her repeat the “you’re right” part several times, but then I had to admit that she was also right. We should try to incorporate more superfoods into our diet.

I told Jill that I’d work hard to make that happen. We could both use the boost to our health, even if it’s only to be in better shape to battle HD together.

Note: Huntington’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Huntington’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Huntington’s disease.