Many people eat the yellow-green flesh inside avocados and throw away the skin and stone inside, however a new study has suggested that the stone could be the healthiest part of the fruit.
Researchers from Penn State University found that an extract in avocado seeds reduced inflammation caused by white blood cells. The team says the findings are evidence that the extract could be turned into a food ingredient, or even used as a pharmaceutical drug.
The experts, however, say the research is in its early stages and that past studies have shown that, if consumed in high quantities, the stone could actually be toxic.
Several studies have shown that the fruit can raise levels of HDL ‘good’ cholesterol, increase nutrient absorption from other foods and help with weight loss.
Another study from Nigeria in 2009 found that the pit extract was historically used in the African country to manage high blood pressure. However, research has shown that the pit may be toxic.
Mail Online reports that the extract used in the new study has been in development by the Penn State team or the last 10 years as a food coloring. It was tested on cells that stimulate the immune system and increase inflammation.
Researchers grew macrophages, a type of white blood cell, in petri dishes, and activated them with a pro-inflammatory molecule both with and without the avocado pit extract present.
They found that when the avocado pit extract was present, inflammation was suppressed compared to when the extract was not present.
Co-author Dr Joshua Lambert, an associate professor of food science at Penn State said :“The level of activity that we see from the extract is very good. We saw inhibitory activity at concentrations in the low microgram-per-milliliter range, which is an acceptable amount of activity to justify further studies.’
He said this is important because several serious conditions – such as arthritis, cancer, colitis and heart disease – are all linked to chronic inflammation.
“The next step, before we can draw further conclusions about the anti-inflammatory activity of this avocado seed extract, will be to design animal model studies,” Dr Lambert said.
“For example, we can look at a mouse model of ulcerative colitis where we formulate the avocado seed extract into the mice diet and look at whether it is able to reduce inflammation.”
The California Avocado Commission said it does not recommend eating the seed, even though most studies have looked at consuming extracts rather than the seed itself.
“The fact is there is not enough research to support consuming an avocado seed,” the commission stated. “The purported health benefits and risks of avocado seed intake are poorly characterized.’”
Lara Metz, a registered dietitian, of Lara Metz Nutrition in New York City, agrees with this viewpoint.
