‘Encouraging’: Surprising health benefits of Aussie fruit favourite

Researchers have linked an Aussie favourite fruit with better health outcomes and a new weapon in the battle against heart disease.

Those delicious darlings on every brunch menu may be more than just a creamy topping.

It turns out avocado may just be the key to restful slumber, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Researchers tracked 969 adults aged 25 and over who had abdominal obesity, which is characterised as a waistline that is 35 inches or more for women and 40 inches or more for men.

For 26 weeks, half of the group ate one large Hass avocado per day while the other half continued their usual diet, which typically involved consuming less than two avocados per month.

As expected, the avocado-eating group saw marked improvements in their blood lipids — fatty substances like triglycerides and cholesterol — and overall diet.

But what caught researchers off guard was the fact that this trendy toast-topper also led to better sleep.

Better sleep could be an avocado away. Photo: istock

The researchers noted that avocado’s impact on sleep may be due to its powerhouse blend of nutrients, as it’s “rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fibre, potassium, folate, vitamin K, copper and pantothenic acid”.

It also came as a surprise that avocado consumption was not associated with improved cardiovascular health, which was actually the original purpose of the study.

The researchers noted that avocados could benefit slumber as part of a balanced, healthy diet and should not be treated as a solitary sleep aid.

“Sleep is emerging as a key lifestyle factor in heart health, and this study invites us to consider how nutrition — and foods like avocado — can play a role in improving it,” said study author and Penn State University associate professor of nutritional sciences Dr Kristina Petersen.

“Cardiovascular health is influenced by many factors, and while no single food is a silver bullet, some — like avocados — offer a range of nutrients that support multiple aspects of heart health. This is an encouraging step in expanding the science around avocados and the potential benefits of consumption.”

Hass avocados could be the key to heart health. Photo: istock

This is good news for Aussies who are the third biggest consumers of avocados per capita in the world behind Mexico and Chile.

According to Austrade, Australian eat 4.5kg of avocados per person each year.

Other factors that can improve your sleep include cutting down on caffeine, curbing alcohol intake, kicking a smoking habit, exercising and limiting screen time before bed.

This isn’t the first time the versatile superfood has made headlines for unexpected benefits.

Previous research suggests avocados may reduce “bad” cholesterol and help with belly fat in women, thanks to their healthy fats and high fibre content.

A 2024 study suggests that eating a small amount of avocado every day may lower a woman’s risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Just make sure not to overdo it.

Experts generally recommend eating no more than one avocado per day to avoid unwanted weight gain.

This story first appeared in the New York Post and was republished with permission.