A Moderate-Fat Diet with One Avocado per Day Increases Plasma Antioxidants and Decreases the Oxidation of Small, Dense LDL in Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background Avocados are a nutrient-dense source of MUFAs and are rich in antioxidants. Avocados have an additional LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering effect beyond that observed when their MUFAs are substituted for SFAs, especially on small, dense LDL (sdLDL) particles, which are susceptible to in vivo oxidation and associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Objectives We investigated whether a healthy diet with 1 avocado daily decreased the following secondary outcomes: circulating oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and related oxidative stress markers. Methods A randomized, crossover, controlled feeding trial was conducted with 45 men and women, aged 21–70 y, with overweight or obesity and elevated LDL-C (25th–90th percentile). Three cholesterol-lowering diets were provided (5 wk each) in random sequences: a lower-fat (LF) diet (24% calories from fat—7% SFAs, 11% MUFAs, 6% PUFAs) and 2 moderate-fat (MF) diets (34% calories from fat—6% SFAs, 17% MUFAs, 9% PUFAs): the avocado (AV) diet included 1 Hass avocado (∼136 g) per day, and the MF diet used high oleic acid oils to match the fatty acid profile of 1 avocado. A general linear mixed model was used to analyze the treatment effects. Results Compared with baseline, the AV diet significantly decreased circulating oxLDL (−7.0 U/L, –8.8%, P = 0.0004) and increased plasma lutein concentration (19.6 nmol/L, 68.7%, P < 0.0001), and both changes differed significantly from that after the MF and LF diets (P ≤ 0.05). The change in oxLDL caused by the AV diet was significantly correlated with the changes in the number of sdLDL particles (r = 0.32, P = 0.0002) but not large, buoyant LDL particles. Conclusions One avocado a day in a heart-healthy diet decreased oxLDL in adults with overweight and obesity, and the effect was associated with the reduction in sdLDL. This trial was registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01235832.

US Older Adults That Consume Avocado or Guacamole Have Better Cognition Than Non-consumers: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2014

“…As evidence linking cardiometabolic health with brain health and function continues to grow (53,54), we also hypothesize that the relationship between avocado intake and better cardiometabolic health may provide explanation for our findings (29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34). For instance, avocados have micronutrients that may benefit blood pressure and avocado interventions have been shown to lower LDL and raise HDL in patients with hypercholesterolemia (30)(31)(32)34) and improve peripheral blood flow acutely after consumption (29,33).…”

“…While the AFT and DSST scores were significantly better for avocado consumers in our unadjusted model, the significance was attenuated in the adjusted models. Given avocado consumption is growing dramatically worldwide, and research has shown the cardiometabolic benefits of eating avocados through the effects of various dietary components, phytochemical, and nutrients that avocados include as discussed by Silva Caldas et al (29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34), it's relevant to study the cognitive benefits of avocado intake within a large population cohort.…”

Screening do potencial hidrogeniônico e toxicidade em Allium cepa de infusões populares frente a urolitíase por metodologia analítica

“…A ausência de toxicidade das infusões avaliada pelo teste de germinação em Allium cepa é corroborada pelos dados da literatura, sendo observado que as infusões de cavalinha (Baracho et al, 2009), do hibisco (Gad et al, 2020) e das folhas de abacate (Nicolella et al, 2017) não apresentam toxicidade. Além disso, a ausência de toxicidade pode estar relacionada com os potenciais antioxidantes da cavalinha (Masłowski et al, 2020), do hibisco (Chiaino et al, 2020) e do abacate (Wang et al, 2020), que podem ser atribuídas aos flavonoides e ácidos fenólicos que os frutos apresentam (Masłowski et al, 2020).…”

The Avocado (<em>Persea americana</em> Mill.): A Review and Sustainability Perspectives

“…Half of them had a significant drop in cholesterol, whereas none of the others had an increase. Avocados may not be a bad option for folks with excessive cholesterol or triglyceride levels [37,55].…”

“…The fruit contains alpha-carotenes, which have antioxidant characteristics and may protect against the oxidation of the 'bad' LDL-cholesterol, lowering the risk of atherosclerosis [55]. Avocado consumption may also help those with atherosclerosis-related angina pectoris.…”