Avocado
Avocado and avocado extracts are studied for metabolic and skin outcomes. Evidence depends on the preparation and endpoint.
Overview
What is Avocado?
Avocado is a fruit from the avocado tree (Persea americana) that is a rich source of potassium, fiber and beneficial monounsaturated fats.
Dosage
Optimal dose is unknown. Follow manufacturer guidelines or clinician advice.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
10 conditions for , and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Database Snapshot
Most avocado research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- High cholesterol accounts for 6 of 24 studies (25%).
- Obesity accounts for 5 of 24 studies (21%).
- Cardiovascular disease accounts for 4 of 24 studies (17%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Cognitive performance, Metabolic syndrome, Aging skin.
Safety
Safety details were limited in the source article. Use standard caution and clinician guidance for high-dose or therapeutic use.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Sources23 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · High cholesterol
6 references1.SupplementDEX Database: High cholesterol — Avocado Consumption and Cardiometabolic Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis2022
A meta-analysis of 9 avocado RCTs (503 participants) found a small total cholesterol reduction overall and larger LDL and total cholesterol reductions in hypercholesterolemic subgroups.
2.SupplementDEX Database: High cholesterol — Effects of a vegetarian diet vs. a vegetarian diet enriched with avocado in hypercholesterolemic patients1997
In 13 hypercholesterolemic patients, a 4-week avocado-enriched vegetarian diet significantly lowered LDL versus standard vegetarian and free diets, though HDL also fell on the low-fat diet.
3.SupplementDEX Database: High cholesterol — Monounsaturated fatty acid (avocado) rich diet for mild hypercholesterolemia1996
In 37 mild hypercholesterolemic patients, a 7-day avocado-enriched high-MFA diet reduced total cholesterol 17%, LDL 22%, and triglycerides 22% and raised HDL 11%.
4.SupplementDEX Database: High cholesterol — Effects of avocado on the level of blood lipids in patients with phenotype II and IV dyslipidemias1995
In 16 dyslipidemia patients, a 4-week avocado-rich monounsaturated fat diet reduced total and LDL cholesterol in phenotype II and raised HDL in both phenotype II and IV.
5.SupplementDEX Database: High cholesterol — Effect of a high-monounsaturated fat diet enriched with avocado in NIDDM patients1994
A crossover RCT of 12 women with NIDDM found a 4-week high-MUFA diet with avocado reduced triglycerides 20% versus 7% on a high-carbohydrate diet, with similar glycemic control.
6.SupplementDEX Database: High cholesterol — Comparison of the effects on lipoproteins and apolipoproteins of a diet high in monounsaturated fatty acids, enriched with avocado, and a high-carbohydrate diet1992
A crossover RCT of 15 women found a 3-week avocado-enriched high-MUFA diet lowered total cholesterol 8.2% and LDL more effectively than a high-carbohydrate AHA-III diet without HDL loss.
SupplementDEX Database · Aging skin
1 reference7.SupplementDEX Database: Aging skin — Avocado consumption increased skin elasticity and firmness in women - A pilot study2022
An 8-week RCT of 39 overweight women (ages 27–73) found daily avocado consumption increased forehead skin elasticity and firmness versus habitual diet, without changing hydration or UV resistance.
SupplementDEX Database · Allergies
1 reference8.SupplementDEX Database: Allergies — Avocado consumption during pregnancy linked to lower child food allergy risk: prospective KuBiCo study2025
In 2,272 KuBiCo cohort participants, maternal avocado consumption during pregnancy was associated with 44% lower odds of infant food allergy at 12 months, but not other allergic outcomes.
SupplementDEX Database · Cardiovascular disease
4 references9.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular disease — Effect of Daily Avocado Intake on Cardiovascular Health Assessed by Life's Essential 8: An Ancillary Study of HAT, a Randomized Controlled Trial2025
An HAT ancillary analysis of 969 adults with abdominal obesity found 1 avocado/day for 26 weeks did not change overall Life's Essential 8 score but improved diet quality, sleep health, and blood lipids.
10.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular disease — Effect of Incorporating 1 Avocado per Day Versus Habitual Diet on Vascular Function in Adults With Abdominal Obesity: An Ancillary Study of HAT, a Randomized Controlled Trial2024
An HAT ancillary RCT of 134 adults with abdominal obesity found 6 months of daily avocado did not improve flow-mediated dilation or arterial stiffness versus a low-avocado habitual diet.
11.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular disease — Effect of Avocado Consumption on Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis2023
A meta-analysis of 7 avocado RCTs found avocado diets reduced total and LDL cholesterol versus habitual or low-fat control diets, with minimal triglyceride or blood pressure changes.
12.SupplementDEX Database: Cardiovascular disease — Avocado Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in US Adults2022
In 110,487 US adults followed up to 30 years, ≥2 servings/week of avocado was linked to 16% lower CVD and 21% lower coronary heart disease risk versus nonconsumers.
SupplementDEX Database · Cognitive performance
2 references13.SupplementDEX Database: Cognitive performance — US Older Adults That Consume Avocado or Guacamole Have Better Cognition Than Non-consumers: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-20142021
A cross-sectional NHANES analysis of 2,886 adults aged 60+ found avocado or guacamole consumers had significantly better cognitive test scores across multiple measures.
14.SupplementDEX Database: Cognitive performance — Effects of 12-week avocado consumption on cognitive function among adults with overweight and obesity2020
A 12-week RCT of 84 overweight adults (ages 25–45) found daily Hass avocado improved attentional inhibition and serum lutein, but benefits were independent of lutein changes.
SupplementDEX Database · Fatigue
1 reference15.SupplementDEX Database: Fatigue — Nutritional avocado intervention improves physical activity measures in Hispanic/Latino families: A cluster RCT2023
A 6-month cluster RCT of 235 Hispanic/Latino family members found 14 avocados/week increased physical activity by ~1,163 MET-min/week versus 3 avocados/week, without worsening BMI or blood pressure.
SupplementDEX Database · Metabolic syndrome
2 references16.SupplementDEX Database: Metabolic syndrome — Effect of incorporating 1 avocado per day versus habitual diet on visceral adiposity: A randomized trial2022
The HAT RCT of 1,008 adults with elevated waist circumference found 1 avocado/day for 6 months did not reduce visceral fat but modestly lowered total and LDL cholesterol.
17.SupplementDEX Database: Metabolic syndrome — Avocado consumption for 12 weeks and cardiometabolic risk factors: A randomized controlled trial in adults with overweight or obesity and insulin resistance2022
A 12-week RCT of 93 overweight adults with insulin resistance found replacing carbohydrate with avocado lowered C-reactive protein versus control, without clear changes in insulin sensitivity.
18.SupplementDEX Database: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease — Changes in biomarkers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) upon access to avocados in Hispanic/Latino adults: Secondary data analysis of a cluster randomized controlled trial2022
A secondary analysis of a Hispanic/Latino cluster RCT found low (3) versus high (14) weekly avocados for 6 months did not change NAFLD biomarkers, liver enzymes, or fibrosis scores.
SupplementDEX Database · Obesity
4 references19.SupplementDEX Database: Obesity — Can avocado intake improve weight loss in adults with excess weight? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials2022
A meta-analysis of 8 avocado RCTs in 657 people with excess weight found no significant changes in body weight, BMI, body fat, or visceral adipose tissue versus control.
20.SupplementDEX Database: Obesity — Avocado consumption, abdominal adiposity, and oral glucose tolerance among persons with overweight and obesity2021
A 12-week RCT of 105 overweight adults found daily avocado reduced visceral adipose tissue in females but did not improve insulin sensitivity or β-cell function overall.
21.SupplementDEX Database: Obesity — Avocado intake, and longitudinal weight and body mass index changes in an adult cohort2019
In 9,162 Adventist Health Study-2 adults, habitual avocado intake was linked to less weight gain in normal-weight participants but did not significantly lower odds of becoming overweight or obese.
22.SupplementDEX Database: Obesity — A randomized 3×3 crossover study to evaluate the effect of Hass avocado intake on post-ingestive satiety, glucose and insulin levels, and subsequent energy intake in overweight adults2013
A crossover study of 26 overweight adults found adding about half a Hass avocado to lunch increased satisfaction up to 26% and reduced desire to eat up to 40% over 3–5 hours.
SupplementDEX Database · Psoriasis
1 reference23.SupplementDEX Database: Psoriasis — Vitamin B12 cream containing avocado oil in the therapy of plaque psoriasis2001
An RCT of 13 plaque psoriasis patients found vitamin B12 plus avocado oil cream matched calcipotriol efficacy after 12 weeks with significantly better tolerability for long-term use.