US Researchers Find That Eating One Avocado a Day
Helps Improve Sleep Quality
A study has found that avocados may have a positive impact not only on cardiovascular health but also on sleep improvement.
On June 15 (local time), the New York Post reported these findings, citing a recent article published in a journal of the American Heart Association.
According to the report, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the University of Pennsylvania conducted a six-month study involving 969 adult participants with abdominal obesity (increased waist circumference), a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The initial aim was to determine whether avocados could improve cardiovascular health.
The participants were divided into two groups. One group consumed one avocado per day, while the control group was limited to fewer than two avocados per month. Other dietary and lifestyle habits were maintained as usual. After six months, the researchers comprehensively evaluated the participants' cardiovascular health using eight indicators suggested by the American Heart Association, including diet, physical activity, smoking, sleep, weight, blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood glucose.
The results showed that the group consuming an avocado daily experienced significant improvements in diet quality and blood lipid levels. What especially surprised the researchers was the improvement in sleep quality among those who ate one avocado per day. Although sleep quality was not an original focus of the study, a meaningful improvement was observed.
The researchers highlighted the nutritional components of avocados. Avocados are rich in nutrients such as tryptophan, folate, and magnesium, which are involved in sleep. Tryptophan helps induce sleep by participating in melatonin synthesis, and magnesium is known to aid muscle relaxation and calm the nervous system. In addition, the monounsaturated fatty acids and dietary fiber abundant in avocados not only support cardiovascular health but also help maintain a feeling of fullness, which can reduce sleep disturbances caused by nighttime hunger.
Christina Petersen, associate professor of nutrition at Pennsylvania State University and lead author of the study, stated, "Getting good sleep is emerging as an important lifestyle factor for heart health," adding, "Further research is needed to determine the role foods like avocados can play in improving sleep."
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