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SANTA ANA, Calif. (January 3, 2000) - New research indicates that the California avocado, one of nature's functional foods, contains phytochemicals that may help fight chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and cancer.
The phytochemical profile of the California avocado includes a cholesterol-lowering phytosterol called beta-sitosterol and the antioxidant glutathione, according to Dr. David Heber, director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition. Evidence suggests phytosterol and glutathione may help prevent certain types of cancers and heart disease in humans.
"The California avocado has long been known for its special taste-enhancing properties," Heber said. "However, new research demonstrates that avocados provide favorable phytochemcials that work in combination with the phytochemcials from other foods in the diet to enhance overall health."
Scientific evidence from a 1999 study conducted for the California Avocado Commission shows that nutrient-dense avocados contain 76 milligrams of beta-sitosterol per 100 grams of fruit. This is more than four times the beta-sitosterol found in other commonly eaten fruits, such as bananas, apples, cantaloupes, grapes, plums and cherries. Avocados contain at least twice the amount of beta-sitosterol found in other whole foods, including corn, green soybeans and olives. Beta-sitosterol is a plant sterol that occurs naturally in the avocado, according to Heber. Phytosterol can inhibit cholesterol absorption from the intestine resulting in lower blood cholesterol levels. In animal studies, phytosterol has been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors.
A survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute in 1992 demonstrated that ounce per ounce the glutathione content of avocados is three times that of bananas, apples, cantaloupes, grapes, plums and cherries. Glutathione is composed of three amino acids and functions as an antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals that can cause damage to cells in the body during the processes of aging, heart disease and cancer. Numerous studies have linked glutathione to the prevention of various types of cancer, including cancer of the mouth and pharynx, and also heart disease.
"The California avocado is an excellent dietary source of glutathione and phytosterol, further demonstrating the value of a diverse plant-based diet in providing micro-nutrients that may have unique roles in the body and the potential to improve overall health and prevent chronic disease," Heber said. Dr. Heber, along with 35 scientists at the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, has long endorsed a diet based on five to 11 servings per day of a diverse selection of fruits and vegetables, including the California avocado. World-wide research demonstrates that a high intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of many common forms of cancer.
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