Health, Nutrition

10 Side Effects Of Avocados Worth Knowing

Here are 10 side effects of avocados you need to know about if you eat this fruit regularly. Avocados are great for your health and they have a ton of amazing health benefits but like fruit and vegetable, they do have side effects. Avocados can interact with certain medications and health conditions when consumed in large amounts.

Read on and discover the effects of avocado before adding it to your diet. You will also learn which medications avocados interact with and who should not eat avocados on a regular basis.

10 Side Effects Of Avocados

10 Side Effects Of Avocados

Avocados are filled with essential nutrients that are great for treating skin conditions and health problems. They contain over 25 natural vitamins and minerals such as dietary fiber, protein, and beneficial phytochemicals. Avocados are great for lowering high cholesterol levels and increasing menstrual flow.

Eating avocados can also help relieve certain types of diarrhea and dysentery. Almost everyone can eat avocados safely without experiencing side effects but should be avoided in certain cases.

Avocados Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 322.
  • Fat: 30 grams.
  • Protein: 4 grams.
  • Carbs: 17 grams.
  • Fiber: 14 grams.
  • Vitamin C: 22% of the daily value (DV)
  • Vitamin E: 28% of the DV.
  • Vitamin K: 35% of the DV.

1. Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Avocados are rich in healthy fats, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and other healthy nutrients that can be great for pregnant and breastfeeding moms. However, eating too many avocados will cause you and your little one to suffer from bloating, gas, and sometimes an upset stomach.

This is caused by polyols, a small chain carbohydrate found in avocados that has a laxative effect when consumed in large amounts. Avocados do not cause side effects when consumed in moderation, an avocado 3 times per week is a great way to add healthy fats to your diet.

2. Hypersensitivity

Research shows that avocados have been found to cause hypersensitivity in some people immediately after consuming the fruit. This may be caused by the high amounts of histamine found in avocados which causes allergic reactions in people with hypersensitivity.

Symptoms of hypersensitivity caused by avocados may include vomiting, bronchial asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, watery eyes, sneezing, runny and itchy nose, and rashes. 

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3. Skin Allergies

Avocados contain histamines and a protein that is similar to latex. Once consumed, your body and the immune system are put into action and go into attack mode and try to destroy invaders. When this happens, you begin to experience allergic reactions.

Some people may experience skin allergies after eating avocados. Symptoms may include hives, itching, redness in the skin, or eczema. 

4. Fatty Liver

One of the serious side effects of avocados is that they can cause fatty liver. Study shows that not all good fats are great for you. Oils and fats found in avocados and olive oil can lead to fatty liver disease when consumed in large amounts regularly.

Fatty liver disease is a huge risk factor for metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease. Extreme cases of fatty liver can lead to cirrhosis and liver damage.

5. Latex Sensitivity

According to Mayoclinic, avocados contain a protein that is very similar to latex. Latex is essentially rubber made of 55% water and 45% rubber. People who are sensitive to latex should avoid eating avocados as it increases the level of serum IgE antibodies in the body which may cause an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of latex sensitivity caused by avocados may include swollen lips, watery eyes, a runny nose, and stomach aches. In more severe cases, you might also experience hives or anaphylaxis.

6. Reduce Cholesterol

Avocados are amazing when it comes to reducing high cholesterol levels in the body, however, consuming too many avocados can cause your cholesterol to go beyond normal ranges. This is because avocados contain a type of chemical called beta-sitosterol.

Beta-sitosterol is a plant sterol that reduces the amount of cholesterol that is able to enter the body. A single large avocado contains up to 132 mg of beta-sitosterol which is a very significant level. Symptoms of low cholesterol may include confusion, hopelessness, nervousness, agitation, changes in mood, and eating or sleeping patterns.

7. Mouth Allergies

Avocados can cause mouth allergies for some people because they are high in histamines. When you consume foods high in histamines, your immune system wakes up and tries to destroy them. When this happens, allergic symptoms can occur.

Common symptoms of mouth allergies caused by avocados may include itching of your lips, mouth, throat, swelling of the tongue, and sometimes IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).

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8. Gastrointestinal Discomfort

Due to high amounts of dietary fiber and polyols, a small chain carbohydrate found in avocados, eating too many avocados at once can cause gastrointestinal discomfort. 1 Avocado contains up to 7 grams of dietary fiber, fiber is great for the digestive system and heart health but needs to be consumed gradually and in moderation.

Symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort may include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, bloating, gas, constipation, and upset stomach.

9. Interact With Medications

If you are on blood thinners like warfarin or anti-inflammatory medications, try not to eat a lot of avocados. This is because eating avocados in large amounts decreases the effects of warfarin and anti-inflammatory medication. This may increase your risk of blood clotting.

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Conclusion

Avocados are extremely healthy but should be consumed in moderation to prevent interactions with medications, allergies, gastrointestinal discomfort, inflammation, hypersensitivity, and latex sensitivity. It is recommended to have 1 avocado 3 times per week or half an avocado per day to prevent negative side effects.

Have you ever experienced an adverse reaction from avocados? Let me know in the comments below!

10 Side Effects Of Avocados