One fruit is 'different to all the rest' — one of the healthiest things you can eat

This fruit is one of the healthiest foods you can eat — but you might not even think of it as a fruit. It is versatile, delicious and packed with nutrients and has become increasingly popular in homes all over the world. It is also very much praised by experts in the health, nutrition and wellness world.

And amazingly, you can substitute it for a whole range of other foods, including butter and margarine — you can even make a sweet cake icing out of it.

I'm talking, of course, about avocados. Avocados are high in healthy fats, fibre, vitamins and minerals. Healthy fats help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels and help lower your risk of having a stroke, heart attack or dementia. You can read more on the world's healthiest diet here, which is also high in healthy fats.

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One study, cited by Zoe, took place over 30 years and involved data from 69,000 women and 42,000 men. Those who ate two or more avocados a week had a 16% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who ate none. They also had a 21% lower risk of developing coronary heart disease.

Why are avocados so healthy?

1. Avocados are high in a number of important nutrients , including several vitamins and minerals as well as fibre and the healthy fats mentioned above.

2. They are beneficial for your gut microbiome , which scientists increasingly say is a fundamental part of your overall health.

3. They are a good source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. Inflammatory damage is associated with the progression of many chronic diseases.

What can I make with avocados?

Avocado is delicious chopped up in a salad or on toast. It is also the main ingredient in guacamole, to which you can also add chillis, lime juice, salt, tomatoes and whatever else you think will suit. You can use it instead of mayonaisse to bring texture and moistness to things like a chicken salad.

One of the most creative ways I've ever seen of using avocados is to turn them into chocolate icing for a chocolate cake. To make this, you just need to blend the avocado with some maple syrup and cocoa powder for a healthy chocolate cake — see the recipe here.

Why are avocados different to other fruits?

Avocados are different from most other fruits because they contain lots of healthy fat. Other fruits do not. They are also low in carbohydrates, which means they have little effect on blood sugar levels.