Great for Guacamole...and Preventing Cancer?

by WiredBerries Editors — September 11, 2007

Here's some welcome news--the latest research suggests that rich, tasty avocados are even better for us than we thought. Nutrients in avocados are able to thwart oral cancer cells, killing some and preventing pre-cancerous cells from developing into actual cancers, according to researchers at Ohio State University.

The research found that extracts from the common Hass avocados (the only variety studied) were very effective at killing and stopping the growth of pre-cancerous cells that lead to oral cancer, while causing no harm to normal cells.

As an added bonus, avocados are also chock-full of beneficial antioxidants, including vitamin C, folate, vitamin E, fiber, and unsaturated fats. They are naturally sodium-free, contain no trans fats, and are low in saturated fat, making them a healthy addition to any diet.