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AlternativeMed

Avocado

Avocado as a functional food: small trials on macular pigment and after-meal markers, and the limits of what they show.

Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.

Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.

Overview

Avocado is a fruit high in monounsaturated fat and fiber, and a source of lutein.

What the research shows

  • A 6-month randomized trial in healthy adults compared one avocado a day with a potato or chickpeas: macular pigment density rose in the avocado group, and serum lutein increased by 25%; memory improved in both groups, with improved sustained attention only in the avocado group. [1]
  • A crossover trial in 31 overweight or obese adults compared meals with 0, 68 g (half) or 136 g (whole) avocado: after-meal blood glucose and insulin responses and flow-mediated vasodilation were reduced compared with the control meal, regardless of dose. [2]

Not shown: these are small trials in specific groups; we did not review who funded them. Proper evidence that avocado prevents disease was not found.

Safety and individual considerations

  • Latex-fruit allergy and avocado allergy exist; stop if you have swelling or breathing difficulty.
  • Avocado contains vitamin K and potassium; if you take warfarin or restrict potassium, ask your clinician. We did not find a source quoting the amounts, so see FoodData Central. [3]

Related

Olive oil · Nuts and seeds

Frequently asked questions

Is avocado good for the heart?

Small trials looked at after-meal markers. Proper evidence for fewer heart events was not found. [2]

References

  1. Scott TM et al. Avocado Consumption Increases Macular Pigment Density in Older Adults: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Nutrients 2017. PMID 28832514.
  2. Park E et al. Avocado Fruit on Postprandial Markers of Cardio-Metabolic Risk: A Randomized Controlled Dose Response Trial in Overweight and Obese Men and Women. Nutrients 2018. PMID 30213052.
  3. U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central. Nutrient values for specific foods; we link to it rather than copying numbers.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.