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March 23, 2024
In a bid to combat poor diet quality, which poses a significant risk for various diseases including heart disease, researchers from Penn State’s Department of Nutritional Sciences have discovered a simple dietary intervention: consuming one avocado per day. Led by Kristina Petersen, associate professor of nutritional sciences, and Penny Kris-Etherton, retired Evan Pugh University Professor of Nutritional Sciences, the study, recently published in the journal Current Developments in Nutrition, offers promising insights into improving overall diet quality through regular avocado consumption.
Avocados are renowned for their nutrient density, containing ample fiber and essential nutrients. Previous observational studies hinted at a link between avocado consumption and higher diet quality. Seeking to establish a causal relationship, Petersen and her team embarked on this study to explore the impact of daily avocado intake on diet quality.
The study, encompassing 1,008 participants, divided them into two groups: one maintaining their regular diet while limiting avocado intake, and the other incorporating one avocado daily into their meals. Through phone interviews and dietary evaluations using the Healthy Eating Index, researchers assessed participants’ adherence to dietary guidelines, serving as a measure of overall diet quality.
The findings were compelling. Participants consuming one avocado per day significantly enhanced their adherence to dietary guidelines, indicating a marked improvement in diet quality. Petersen highlighted the potential of strategies like daily avocado consumption in aiding individuals to adhere to dietary guidelines and elevate the quality of their diets.
While the researchers anticipated the positive impact of daily avocado consumption on diet quality, they were surprised by how participants achieved this improvement. Avocados, classified as vegetables in the study, not only increased vegetable consumption but also served as substitutes for foods higher in refined grains and sodium, contributing to a healthier dietary pattern.
According to Petersen, poor diet quality escalates the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. By bolstering adherence to dietary guidelines, interventions like daily avocado consumption offer a promising avenue for reducing the incidence of preventable diseases and extending healthy life expectancy.
Petersen, who has spearheaded similar studies examining the relationship between food-based interventions and diet quality, emphasized the need for further research to explore additional strategies for improving adherence to dietary guidelines.
“In studies like this one, we are able to determine food-based ways to improve diet quality, but behavioral strategies are also needed to help people adhere to dietary guidelines and reduce their risk of chronic disease,” Petersen remarked.
The study, supported by the Avocado Nutrition Center, underscores the potential of simple dietary modifications in fostering healthier dietary habits and reducing the burden of chronic diseases. With ongoing research and advocacy, initiatives like daily avocado consumption could play a pivotal role in promoting public health and well-being.
Penn State researchers uncover the benefits of incorporating one avocado per day into daily meals, offering a practical strategy for enhancing overall diet quality and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
