A recent study by researchers at the University of Illinois has revealed that women who consume an avocado a day had a reduction in a specific type of abdominal fat.
The Study
The study observed 105 overweight and obese adults. They participated in a randomised control trial that provided one meal a day for 12 weeks to the participants.
According to the study, there are two types of fat in the abdomen.1 One being right under the skin and known as subcutaneous fat, the other fat is situated deeper in the abdomen, surrounding the internal organs, which is known as visceral fat.1 Research has suggested that increased levels of visceral fat increased the risk of diabetes.1
The participants were split into two groups. One group were provided with a meal a day containing fresh avocado. The other group were provided with the same meal but containing no avocado.
Prior to and at the end of the study, the researchers measured the participants’ abdominal fat and glucose tolerance, an indicator of diabetes, to understand how avocados affect abdominal fat.1
The Results
According to the study, the female participants saw a reduction in visceral abdominal fat and also saw a reduction in the ratio of visceral fat to subcutaneous fat, whereas the male participants saw no change.1 However, no participants, regardless of gender, saw improvements in glucose tolerance.1
Whilst the research has been valuable in allowing light to be shed on the fact that gender plays a role in dietary intervention responses, more research needs to be carried out to understand the full impact that avocados have on body fat and health.
Take Home Message
Great news, avo toast all day every day! No, but seriously, it may be worth adding some more avocado into your diet. Whilst this specific study has highlighted the benefits for females, that’s not to say that males should steer clear. Avocados are still believed to be nutrient-rich and may even benefit your heart and cholesterol2, so fill your boots, within reason...
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After finishing an internship with Myprotein, Emily returned to university to finish her degree in Business Management and Marketing, before coming back to work full-time with the team. Emily specialises in high-protein recipes, inspiring real-life stories and accessible health and fitness advice, and her work has been featured in The Supplement Magazine. When she’s not in the kitchen baking or cooking, she’s out exploring Manchester’s best food spots, or working up an appetite at the gym.
