Updated: April 14, 2017
The California Avocado Commission has weighed in on the "Should you eat the avocado pit?" debate, and its verdict is a resounding no. The group cites that there's not enough research to support claims in favor of it, and that the reported health benefits have been "poorly characterized."
Original Post: Oct. 7, 2015
Besides being creamy and delicious, avocados are often hailed as a superfood for their healthy fats. Experts are now saying, though, that the most nutritious part of the fruit might just be in your trash can.
Whether you're preparing an avocado salad or guacamole, chances are you're prepping the fruit the same way. You slice it open, ditch the large seed, and then dive into the green goodness. While that routine never fails when it comes to delicious avocado recipes, it turns out the pit is actually a nutritional powerhouse.
According to One Green Planet, "the seed holds 70 percent of the avocado's antioxidants, including the well-respected polyphenols associated with green tea." It's also packed with soluble fiber and healthy oils. Those oils then do wonders for your skin's collagen, reducing wrinkles. Who knew?!
Since the seed is rock solid (and biting into it is asking for a dental disaster), it's best to cut it up into quarters, and put the pieces in a food processor to grind it into a powder. From there, you can add the vitamin-filled powder to your next morning smoothie.
Half of the resulting powder is just enough for one serving. Given the bitterness of the seed, it's also best to blend it with very flavorful fruits and veggies.
[via OneGreenPlanet
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