AVOCADOES HIGH IN VITAMIN E
Don't let the high calorie content of avocadoes put you off: They're excellent sources of vitamin E and lutein, as well as other nutrients, a UCLA professor says in a statement issued by -- what else? -- the California Avocado Information Bureau. New research suggests that avocadoes have nearly twice as much vitamin E as previously reported, making them the highest fruit source of this nutrient. For example, a 3-ounce serving of avocadoes contains 4.31 international units of Vitamin E, while grapes and peaches have only 1.04 international units each. Dr. David Heber, director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, says avocadoes also contain phytochemicals, which, like Vitamin E, are antioxidants that mop up free radicals, which can damage cells and have been associated with aging, heart disease, and cancer. Avocadoes also are high in monounsaturated fat, which lowers blood cholesterol. Dr. Heber recommends five to 11 servings per day of fresh fruits and vegetables for optimum health.