I’m going to go ahead and make a bold assumption. And that assumption is that you view avocados in relation to sandwiches, salads, burgers and as a mushy slop on your nacho chip (otherwise known as guacamole). Often, avocado is merely classified as an ingredient, something that is delicious but ultimately a frivolous addition to your meal.
Even if that assumption is way off the mark for you, it’s true for most people. Sadly, many of us are unaware of the wondrous benefits just waiting to be unleashed by the simple act of buying a bottle of extra virgin avocado oil from our local supermarket or health food store. Due to the inherent array of nutrients, minerals, and healthy fats contained within the average avocado, the range of uses to which it can be applied are wide ranging, but include skincare, haircare, cooking, baking, joint relief and weight loss.
Here’s 4 wondrous uses for the humble avocado which you may not have considered.
- It’s great for cooking
One of the less exciting — but nonetheless important — uses for avocado oil is cooking. Because avocado oil has a stable structure, it is one of the few natural oils available on supermarket shelves which is well suited to high-heat cooking, even to temperatures as sweat-inducing as 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
So, next time you’re thinking about making a delicious stir fry or simply grilling up a big ole juicy steak, I suggest you get yourself a bottle of avocado oil. It’s high smoke point means that it doesn’t denature at higher temperatures, unlike other oils such as olive oil or vegetable oil, which have a low smoke point and can undergo molecular change at higher heats and become damaging to your health. Plus, it tastes delicious, so there’s no excuse.
- It’s an excellent nutritional source
If you’re lacking in vitamins, avocado oil has the solution. Avocados are considered one of the great superfoods, and contain 20 different vitamins and minerals which are essential for your health. Some of these nutrients are actually pretty darn hard to come across in other foods, including:
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Folate
- Vitamin B5
- Vitamin B6
- Potassium
- Vitamin C
Added to that, they’re also chock-full of magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. So yeah, they’re kind of a big deal when it comes to getting your health on. And the best part about it? The high levels of saturated fat in avocados helps your digestive system to actually break down and absorb the nutrients they contain, unlike many other foods which don’t contain the necessary fats to gain any benefits from the nutrients they’re feeding into your system
- It nurtures and protects your skin
Forget your toxic cosmetics and nasty conventional moisturizers, there’s a new skin treatment in town, and once you’re done rubbing it on your skin, you can eat it too! Yup, avocado oil contains a whole heap of antioxidants and vitamin E which make it an excellent choice for supporting tired or malnourished skin, while its ability to deeply penetrate through multiple skin layers makes it an excellent moisturizer.
So, if you’re having issues with acne, eczema, psoriasis, irritated or just dry or flaking skin, try this: Dampen the area of affected skin with a warm, wet cloth, then rub some extra virgin avocado oil between your hands and gently massage the oil onto the area of skin giving you problems. Avocado oil is mild and doesn’t irritate, meaning you can do this multiple times throughout the day. Repeat for at least a week, and be amazed with the results.
- It helps your hair grow
The saturated fat content in avocados, along with the wide range of fat-soluble vitamins and minerals it provides, makes it a great choice for dry, damaged or weak hair. This fat, when applied as a hair mask or added to a gentle shampoo or conditioner, can simultaneously hydrate, fortify and nourish hair follicles and improve the overall appearance of your lovely locks.
Massaging avocado oil directly into your scalp, on the other hand, encourages blood flow to your hair follicles and thereby allows those follicles to soak up all the great nutrients contained in the oil. When these fatty acids, phytosterols and antioxidants are absorbed at an increased rate, your hair may begin to grow at a faster rate and become fuller and stronger. Doing this regularly can also help to resolve any dandruff issues you might be having, by reducing the amount of dry skin on your scalp and supplying the area with skin-supporting nutrients.
Want to learn more about the benefits of avocado oil? Here’s a few more reasons why avocados should be your new favourite fruit.
—Liivi Hess
When shopping for avocado oil, look for an extra virgin, unrefined avocado oil. Unrefined avocado oil is dark green and has a floral smell with a mild flavor. The only avocado oil we use in our kitchen is from Ava Jane’s Kitchen. Try a bottle for free today!
