New Data Links Avocado Consumption with Better Diet Quality, Lower Body Weight and Positive Health Parameters

Analysis shows avocado consumers have improved nutrient intakes

MISSION VIEJO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A new analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
(NHANES) data, compared avocado consumers to non-consumers and found
that consuming avocados may be associated with an overall better diet,
higher intake of essential nutrients, lower body weight, lower Body Mass
Index (BMI) and smaller waist circumference.

Insulin and homocysteine levels were lower in the avocado group, as well
as a significantly reduced incidence of metabolic syndrome.
Homocysteine, when elevated, has been associated with an increased risk
of cardiovascular disease.ⁱ Metabolic syndrome is the name
for a group of risk factors that raises the risk for heart disease and
other health problems, such as diabetes and stroke.ⁱⁱ
The analysis, “Avocado
Consumption by Adults is Associated with Better Nutrient Intake, Diet
Quality, and Some Measures of Adiposity: National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey, 2001-2012,” was published in the journal
Internal Medicine Review.

SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS:

• Compared to non-consumers, avocado consumers have:
  • Higher intakes of dietary fiber, total fat, good fats
    (monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids),
    vitamins E and C, folate, magnesium, copper and potassium.
  • Lower intakes of total carbohydrates, added sugars and sodium.
  • On average, avocado consumers weighed 7.5 lbs less, had a mean BMI
    of 1 unit less and 1.2 in. smaller waist circumference compared to
    non-consumers.
  • Avocado consumers were 33% less likely to be overweight or obese
    and 32% less likely to have an elevated waist circumference
    compared to non-consumers.
  • Incidence of metabolic syndrome was significantly reduced for
    avocado consumers.

  The findings are based on avocado consumption and its association with
  nutrient and food group intake, diet quality, and health biomarkers
  assessed using a nationally representative sample of 29,684 adults (ages
  19 years and older) participating in the 2001-2012 NHANES. Fresh avocado
  intake averaged a consumption of 76 grams per day (a little more than
  half of a medium Hass avocado) and was assessed by 24-hour dietary
  recalls. Diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index-2010
  (HEI-2010), which measured adherence to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for
  Americans. The analysis was supported by the U.S. Department of
  Agriculture Children’s Nutrition Research Center and the Hass
  Avocado Board (HAB).

  “These findings indicate incorporating avocados could be one way for
  Americans to meet the recommended fruit and vegetable intake and
  potentially improve physiologic measures,” said Nikki Ford, Hass Avocado
  Board Director of Nutrition. “As we fund additional clinical studies
  investigating the relationship between fresh avocado consumption and
  weight management and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and
  diabetes, we continue to encourage healthcare professionals to remain
  committed to recommending avocados as part of an overall healthy diet.”

  For more information on avocado nutrition research, please visit LoveOneToday.com/Research.

  About the Hass Avocado Board
  The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) is
  an agriculture promotion group established in 2002 to promote the
  consumption of Hass Avocados in the United States. A 12-member board
  representing domestic producers and importers of Hass Avocados directs
  HAB’s promotion, research and information programs under supervision of
  the United States Department of Agriculture. Funding for HAB comes from
  Hass avocado producers and importers in the United States.

  ⁱ Humphrey LL, Fu R, Rogers K, Freeman M, Helfand M.
  Homocysteine Level and Coronary Heart Disease Incidence: A Systematic
  Review and Meta-analysis. Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
  2008;83(11):1203-1212. doi:10.4065/83.11.1203.

  ⁱⁱ What is Metabolic Syndrome? National Heart, Lung, and
  Blood Institute. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ms.
  Accessed March 23, 2017/

  Contacts

  Padilla
  Caroline Gould, 804-675-8156
  Caroline.Gould@padillaco.com