New Research Provides Evidence That Fresh Avocados Play a Role in Gut Health
There is a community of friendly bacteria living within your intestines that help support your gut health. These bacteria break down nutrients, produce compounds that send communications to the rest of the body, and influence your immune system. Research suggests that obesity, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and colon cancer are all impacted by your gut’s health. Research supported by the Hass Avocado Board explored the role of eating avocados on gut health.
In a weight-loss study of 51 overweight or obese adults, researchers found that the gut microbiota differed in response to an avocado-inclusive and control diet. Participants were advised to eat 500 calories less each day and to eat one avocado daily, compared to a control group following the same dietary guidance without avocado. Though more research like this study is needed to confirm the findings, especially in a larger U.S. representative sample, the results suggest the fiber contained in avocados can be part of a balanced diet that supports a healthy gut.
A recent trial of 163 overweight adults, also supported by the Hass Avocado Board, studied the changes in gut bacteria and metabolite levels in both an avocado-excluded as well as a daily avocado-included diet. Researchers reported changes to gut bacteria and metabolite levels when participants ate one avocado a day for 12 weeks compared to a diet that excluded avocado. Although the findings cannot be generalized to all people, the results support a growing body of scientific evidence, suggesting that avocados may affect gut health.
HAB has created two handouts to help health professionals show their clients the role of fiber in gut health and how avocados can help. You can download a free PDF by filling out a form at the link below.Download the PDF
Other Happenings
HAB Sustainability Task Force
Early in the new year, the Hass Avocado Board added a Sustainability Task Force to its roster of standing and special committees. During the 5 year (2021-2025) strategic planning process in 2020 the Board of Directors changed the focus of our previous sustainability efforts to that of a more core value program that the Board, and the industry must embrace as we move into the future.
2020 Year in Review
Believe it or not, but the total volume of avocado fruit sold in the U.S. ROSE by 6.1% in 2020, from 2.492 billion pounds in 2019 to 2.644 billion pounds at the end of the year. One could have imagined in late March of this past year, that the industry would be seriously and financially devastated by the public health crisis we have been dealing with and the catastrophic impact it initially had on food distribution, and the dramatic impact that it had, and continues to have on the entire food service industry.
Healthy Eating at the Core of HAB’s Campaign To Support Heart Health Month
February was American Heart Month and, as in previous years, the Hass Avocado Board engaged with a marketing and communications campaign to promote the nutrition message and raise awareness on how including delicious avocados in everyday healthy eating plans can provide a whole food source of naturally good fats, fiber and other important nutrients that can reduce the risk for heart disease.