2023-10-15 12:53:00
On the one hand a popular food, on the other hand viewed critically due to its origin and cultivation method: What is really true about the avocado?
For many people, avocado is a regular part of the menu. However, there are also many myths surrounding the fruit. One of them: The avocado is supposed to be a vegetable. However, it actually grows on a laurel plant and is therefore a berry.
Avocados go well with many salads, can be prepared as a spread or dip and can even be used as a hair mask. They are very popular and can be used in a variety of ways. But what’s with all the claims about calories, health benefits and water consumption of cultivation?
1. How many varieties are there?
Even though we only know a few varieties, there are actually several hundred varieties of avocado. Different sources give different information here, but there are certainly more than 400. The best-known varieties in this country are “Fuerte” (recognizable by its smooth, green skin) and “Hass” (recognizable by its black, uneven skin).
2. What nutrients does the fruit contain?
Avocados contain many vital minerals and vitamins, including magnesium, copper, potassium, manganese and vitamins B, C, E and K. At the same time, they are very low in sugar and have a low glycemic index, making them an important part of a healthy diet.
Avocados are also considered to be anti-inflammatory and an important source of folic acid. This makes them an important food, especially for pregnant women, because folic acid contributes to the healthy development of embryos.
3. How healthy is the fat?
Avocados contain unsaturated fatty acids. In contrast to saturated fats, these are considered healthy. Because unsaturated fats help lower LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, which reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. In addition, the substances contained in an avocado stimulate digestion, support cognitive and visual functions and improve the skin.
4. How many calories does an avocado have?
The many healthy fats also bring with them a certain calorie content. Exactly how many calories are contained in an avocado depends on the weight and type of fruit. There are around 138 calories per 100 grams.
Half an avocado (recommended daily amount for adults) contains about 114 calories. It supplies the body with a lot of energy, has a filling effect and at the same time provides tons of vitamins, healthy fats and minerals.
5. How bad is the environmental impact of avocados?
Avocados require a relatively large amount of water to grow, a good 1,000 liters to grow three fruits. But what most people in this country don’t know: “How much irrigation an avocado needs varies from region to region, so it’s difficult to say in general terms. Avocados that are grown in regions with high rainfall can get almost their entire water requirement directly from the water rain,” informs Zac Bard, Chairman of the World Avocado Organization.
If you compare the water consumption per kilo in cultivation, some foods are even ahead of avocados. Including olive oil, nuts and tea. However, coffee, cocoa and beef consume by far the most water.
What should not be ignored, however, is the water shortage that often exists in the avocado growing areas. If the little water available there is used for avocados, there is no water for growing other foods or as drinking water.
In addition, the consumption of avocados requires long transport routes, which are associated with a not insignificant CO2 burden. In some countries, forest areas are also being cleared to make room for avocado plantations.
If a lower carbon footprint for avocados is important to you, you can make sure that the fruit comes from European cultivation and therefore does not have such a long transport route. There are many avocado plantations, especially in Spain, and they are also grown in Sicily and Crete.
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