Eat This Superfood Oil for Youthful Skin, Better Vision, and Lower Cholesterol

By now, we’ve all heard some of the buzz around healthy fats. Despite fats being demonized in the past, we’ve come to realize how important having the right fat in your diet really is. We know eating avocados is a way to get those healthy fats, but as it turns out, avocado oil is super nutritious, too.

When consumed regularly, the plant compounds found in avocado oil, which is just the oil that’s extracted from avocados, can give you glowing skin, help you control your cholesterol, and even preserve your vision. Impressive, right?

Avocado oil is a potent skin elixir for a few reasons. First of all, it’s rich in oleic acid, a nutrient you might recognize on the ingredient list of some of your anti-aging face oils. Why? Oleic acid penetrates deeply into the skin to restore moisture and repair the skin barrier. Since excess dryness can cause to appear dull and increase signs of aging, incorporating oleic-acid-rich avocado oil in both your diet and your beauty routine can help you get that youthful glow!

Research also shows that using avocado oil can improve your skin health. Results from one small study suggested that using a cream containing avocado oil for 12 weeks helped to significantly reduce the symptoms of psoriasis. Other research has also demonstrated that avocado oil can assist in wound healing and treating injuries.

And if you’re struggling with heart disease or otherwise want to gain better control of your cholesterol levels, avocado oil may be able to help with that, too. The healthy fats in avocado oil help to regulate cholesterol in the blood, while the antioxidants help control oxidative stress. In one study comparing avocado oil with olive oil and coconut oil, the avocado oil was found to reduce LDL (that’s the bad one) cholesterol levels the most. Even more surprising, the researchers also found that the avocado oil reduced triglycerides and improved HDL (good) cholesterol the most of the three. Other research also suggests that consuming avocado oil may help reduce blood pressure.

As we get older, it’s increasingly important that we consume nutrients that help to preserve things like our vision, which can naturally deteriorate over time. Avocado oil contains a nutrient called lutein, which has a demonstrated ability to protect your eyes. Studies show that eating more lutein can help prevent conditions like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

The good news is, incorporating avocado oil into your daily routine is super easy. You can purchase avocado oil in your local health food store or online. For a product we love, try this one from Better Body Foods ($7.49, Amazon). Avocado oil is a great oil to cook with because it has a high smoke point, and it can also be consumed raw by spooning is over salads or making it into sauces, dips, and dressings. It’s got a very mild flavor, too, so you’ll barely notice it’s there!

Here’s to the anti-aging, heart healthy superfood we’ve been waiting for.