In recent years, the avocado has become one of the most coveted food products due to the number of recipes and tricks that have emerged from its use.
From serving coffee in its shell to create the perfect ‘avocado latte’ to asking to marry by giving an engagement ring inside an avocado, fashion spread not only in terms of food but also in terms of aesthetics, and social networks boosted the dissemination of its properties.
In 2016, a video from “Nourish me whole” went viral, a Facebook page that gives nutritional advice, in which the consumption of avocado pits is promoted, citing its “miraculous properties”. As of this post, an infinity of instagramers and bloggers have emerged recommending its use by grating it for smoothies or as an ingredient for different preparationsand ensuring that it has a lot of fiber and is rich in antioxidants and nutrients.
In addition, some say that this seed also has anti-inflammatory properties and that it even serves to make hair shinier and skin look much younger. There are many recipes on how to pulverize or grate it, and countless dishes in which the obtained powder is the main ingredient.
Although there is no evidence that the pit is harmful to health, there is also no proof of its benefits.. The California Avocado Commission (USA) explains on its website with a 2013 study from the Pennsylvania State University: “Although the data currently available is very promising, there is not enough research to support the consumption of the seed of avocado”. That is, there is still not enough evidence to estimate its virtues.
In 2013 The Scientific World Journal published a study in which the possible genotoxic potential of avocado pit extract was analyzed with mice. The animals to which the liquid was administered did not present changes in their DNA, which would mean that it does not present levels of toxicity or adverse effects on the body. However, it is not yet possible to ensure that excessive consumption of the seed cannot cause adverse or secondary effects in some individuals.
In conclusion, since there is no scientific evidence to support or reject the use of avocado pits, if you want to eat it, you can, but remember not to do it in excess and do not forget to incorporate nutrients through other foods to have a balanced diet.