Eating one avocado per day may reduce heart disease risk in adults with obesity, according to a study by researchers at Penn State published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology
The researchers found that daily avocado consumption reduced the concentration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles in the blood, corresponding to an estimated 4 per cent reduction in heart disease risk. LDL particles transport cholesterol through the body and are considered a separate risk factor from LDL cholesterol. Smaller LDL particles are more likely to penetrate artery walls and contribute to plaque formation
The study analysed data from the six-month Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial involving 786 adults aged 25 years and older with abdominal obesity. Men with a waist circumference greater than 40 inches (102 cm) and women with a waist circumference greater than 35 inches (89 cm) were eligible. Half of the participants continued their normal diet and activity, while the other half consumed one avocado each day without making other lifestyle changes
Researchers found that daily avocado consumption did not affect body weight or waist circumference but reduced LDL particle levels by 49 nanomoles per litre
“If people want to improve the quality of their diet, making one small change might be a more feasible strategy than attempting to change their entire diet,” said Janhavi Damani, postdoctoral scholar at Penn State and first author of the study. “For people with obesity, including avocados in their daily diet might be a good starting place.”
The reduction in LDL particles was observed regardless of participants’ sex, race, ethnicity, age or body mass index
“Four percent is a modest reduction compared with the 14% to 29% lower heart disease risk associated with improving the overall diet,” Damani said. “However, it is a step in the right direction.”
Kristina Petersen, associate professor of nutritional sciences and senior author of the study, said the findings demonstrate that avocado consumption can contribute to healthier diets under everyday conditions
“In the course of people’s normal lives, avocado consumption still contributes to a healthier diet.”
For more information:Aaron Wagner Penn State Department of Nutritional SciencesEmail: [email protected]www.psu.edu
