Who doesn't like avocados? Besides its sweet taste, this green fruit is also known for its nutrients. Avocados are rich in vitamins and minerals, while also being a good source of fat for the body. Most of us will only consume the fruit and remove the seeds. However, it turns out that avocado seeds also have good benefits for health.

Based on research published in the Advance in Food Technology and Nutritional Sciences journal, avocado seeds are known to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help overcome inflammation-related diseases. The researchers reported that some South Americans had used avocado seeds to fight inflammation. Given that avocado seeds are rich in polyphenols, the researchers explained that these compounds have good antioxidant effects of maintaining cell health. Even when compared to the fruit, polyphenols and antioxidant activity found in avocado seeds are known to be higher.

In their research, the researchers conducted an in vitro experiment to determine the effectiveness of avocado seed extract as an anti-inflammatory agent. The researchers focused on the interaction between avocado seed extract and macrophages, immune cells that play a role in destroying foreign objects that enter the body. The researchers found that these interactions can reduce the occurrence of inflammation.

Although these results are promising, further research is needed to determine the anti-inflammatory activity of avocado seeds, since the research was only limited to in vitro. Therefore, the researchers plan to take the next step by using animal models.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Pixabay

Source(s):

• Dabas, D., Ziegler, G.R., and Lambert, J.D. (2019). Anti-Inflammatory Properties of a Colored Avocado Seed Extract. Advances in Food Technology and Nutritional Sciences, DOI: 10.17140 / AFTNSOJ-5-151.
• Medical News Today - Avocado seeds may have anti-inflammatory properties (2019). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324714.php, March 25, 2019.