While the creamy flesh of avocados is packed with healthy fats and nutrients, there’s been a buzz around the potential health benefits of avocado seeds. However, consuming avocado seeds may not be safe due to the presence of certain compounds that could be harmful. Here’s what you can do instead to make the most out of your avocados without risking your health.
Why You Should Avoid Eating Avocado Seeds Avocado seeds contain persin, a natural fungicide that can be toxic when consumed in large quantities. Although the amount of persin varies in different parts of the avocado and is much lower in the seeds than in the leaves, it’s still a concern, especially for sensitive individuals or those with certain health conditions.
Safe and Beneficial Uses for Avocado Seeds
- Plant Them: Instead of eating avocado seeds, why not grow your own avocado tree? Wash and dry the seed, then use toothpicks to suspend it over a glass of water, ensuring the bottom half is submerged. Place it in a warm place out of direct sunlight. Roots and a sprout should begin to appear in a few weeks.
- Make a Natural Dye: Avocado seeds can be boiled to produce a natural pinkish-red dye, perfect for fabric dyeing projects. This is a wonderful way to use the entire fruit without wasting any part.
- Exfoliating Scrub: Dry and grate the avocado seeds to create a homemade exfoliating scrub. Mix the grated seed with a base like coconut oil or honey for a natural skin treatment. However, be gentle and cautious as the granules can be quite abrasive.
Better Ways to Use Avocado
- Eat the Flesh: The flesh of the avocado is where the most benefits lie. It’s rich in monounsaturated fats, which are good for heart health, packed with fiber, and loaded with vitamins and minerals like potassium, vitamin E, and B-vitamins.
- Use Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is another excellent way to get the health benefits of avocados. It’s great for cooking or as a base for dressings and sauces due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor.
- Avocado-Based Recipes: Beyond guacamole, use avocado in smoothies, spreads, or as a butter substitute in baking to add moisture and nutrients to your dishes.
Conclusion
While it’s tempting to try and utilize every part of foods we enjoy, it’s important to prioritize safety. Avocado seeds may have some interesting uses, but they should not be consumed. Instead, focus on the many safe and delicious ways to enjoy the fruit and consider other creative uses for the seeds that don’t involve eating them.
