Mexico’s avocado exports to the United States are moving again after a temporary U.S. security alert halted inspections and shipments from Michoacán. The suspension disrupted an industry that employs around 200 thousand people in the state.


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Avocado is often touted as a 'Superfood' for its miraculous properties and health benefits. A study suggests that eating more Avocados improves heart health.

Study: Eating more Avocados improves heart health

Eating two servings of avocados a week was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a recent study.

The study was published in 'Journal of the American Heart Association'.

Avocados contain dietary fibre, unsaturated fats especially monounsaturated fat (healthy fats) and other favourable components that have been associated with good cardiovascular health. Clinical trials have previously found avocados have a positive impact on cardiovascular risk factors including high cholesterol.

Researchers have believed this is the first, large, prospective study to support the positive association between higher avocado consumption and lower cardiovascular events, such as coronary heart disease and stroke.

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"Our study provides further evidence that the intake of plant-sourced unsaturated fats can improve diet quality and is an important component in cardiovascular disease prevention," said Lorena S. Pacheco, PhD, M.P.H., R.D.N., lead author of the study and a postdoctoral research fellow in the nutrition department at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston.

"These are particularly notable findings since the consumption of avocados has risen steeply in the U.S. in the last 20 years, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture," she added.

For 30 years, researchers followed more than 68,780 women (ages 30 to 55 years) from the Nurses 'Health Study and more than 41,700 men (ages 40 to 75 years) from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. All study participants were free of cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke at the start of the study and living in the United States.

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Researchers documented 9,185 coronary heart disease events and 5,290 strokes during more than 30 years of follow-up. Researchers assessed participants'&nbsp;diet using food frequency questionnaires given at the beginning of the study and then every four years. They calculated avocado intake from a questionnaire item that asked about the amount consumed and frequency. One serving equalled half of an avocado or a half cup of avocado.

The analysis found:

1. After considering a wide range of cardiovascular risk factors and overall diet, study participants who ate at least two servings of avocado each week had a 16 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 21 per cent lower risk of coronary heart disease, compared to those who never or rarely ate avocados.

2. Based on statistical modelling, replacing half a serving daily of margarine, butter, egg, yoghurt, cheese or processed meats such as bacon with the same amount of avocado was associated with a 16 per cent to 22 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease events.

3. Substituting half a serving a day of avocado for the equivalent amount of olive oil, nuts and other plant oils showed no additional benefit.

4. No significant associations were noted in relation to stroke risk and how much avocado was eaten.

"The study's results have provided additional guidance for health care professionals to share. Offering the suggestion to replace certain spreads and saturated fat-containing foods, such as cheese and processed meats, with avocado is something physicians and other health care practitioners such as registered dietitians can do when they meet with patients, especially since avocado is a well-accepted food," Pacheco said.

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"These findings are significant because a healthy dietary pattern is a cornerstone for cardiovascular health, however, it can be difficult for many Americans to achieve and adhere to healthy eating patterns," said Cheryl Anderson, PhD, M.P.H., FAHA, chair of the American Heart Association's Council on Epidemiology and Prevention.

"We desperately need strategies to improve intake of AHA-recommended healthy diets -- such as the Mediterranean diet -- that is rich in vegetables and fruits," said Anderson, who is a professor and dean of the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego.

"Although no one food is the solution to routinely eating a healthy diet, this study is evidence that avocados have possible health benefits. This is promising because it is a food item that is popular, accessible, desirable and easy to include in meals eaten by many Americans at home and in restaurants," Cheryl concluded.

Eating two servings of avocados a week was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a recent study. The study was published in 'Journal of the American Heart Association'.

Eating two servings of avocados a week was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a recent study. The study was published in 'Journal of the American Heart Association'. Avocados contain dietary fibre, unsaturated fats especially monounsaturated fat (healthy fats) and other favourable components that have been associated with good cardiovascular health. Clinical trials have previously found avocados have a positive impact on cardiovascular risk factors including high cholesterol. Researchers have believed this is the first, large, prospective study to support the positive association between higher avocado consumption and lower cardiovascular events, such as coronary heart disease and stroke. Also read | Staying active, travelling can help people cope with anxiety, depression, says study "Our study provides further evidence that the intake of plant-sourced unsaturated fats can improve diet quality and is an important component in cardiovascular disease prevention," said Lorena S. Pacheco, PhD, M.P.H., R.D.N., lead author of the study and a postdoctoral research fellow in the nutrition department at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. "These are particularly notable findings since the consumption of avocados has risen steeply in the U.S. in the last 20 years, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture," she added. For 30 years, researchers followed more than 68,780 women (ages 30 to 55 years) from the Nurses 'Health Study and more than 41,700 men (ages 40 to 75 years) from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. All study participants were free of cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke at the start of the study and living in the United States. Watch | Hidden immunity: Study gives clues on how some escape Covid-19 infection Researchers documented 9,185 coronary heart disease events and 5,290 strokes during more than 30 years of follow-up. Researchers assessed participants' diet using food frequency questionnaires given at the beginning of the study and then every four years. They calculated avocado intake from a questionnaire item that asked about the amount consumed and frequency. One serving equalled half of an avocado or a half cup of avocado. The analysis found: 1. After considering a wide range of cardiovascular risk factors and overall diet, study participants who ate at least two servings of avocado each week had a 16 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 21 per cent lower risk of coronary heart disease, compared to those who never or rarely ate avocados. 2. Based on statistical modelling, replacing half a serving daily of margarine, butter, egg, yoghurt, cheese or processed meats such as bacon with the same amount of avocado was associated with a 16 per cent to 22 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease events. 3. Substituting half a serving a day of avocado for the equivalent amount of olive oil, nuts and other plant oils showed no additional benefit. 4. No significant associations were noted in relation to stroke risk and how much avocado was eaten. "The study's results have provided additional guidance for health care professionals to share. Offering the suggestion to replace certain spreads and saturated fat-containing foods, such as cheese and processed meats, with avocado is something physicians and other health care practitioners such as registered dietitians can do when they meet with patients, especially since avocado is a well-accepted food," Pacheco said. Also read | 'Probably just hormones': Women's illnesses going undiagnosed "These findings are significant because a healthy dietary pattern is a cornerstone for cardiovascular health, however, it can be difficult for many Americans to achieve and adhere to healthy eating patterns," said Cheryl Anderson, PhD, M.P.H., FAHA, chair of the American Heart Association's Council on Epidemiology and Prevention. "We desperately need strategies to improve intake of AHA-recommended healthy diets -- such as the Mediterranean diet -- that is rich in vegetables and fruits," said Anderson, who is a professor and dean of the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego. "Although no one food is the solution to routinely eating a healthy diet, this study is evidence that avocados have possible health benefits. This is promising because it is a food item that is popular, accessible, desirable and easy to include in meals eaten by many Americans at home and in restaurants," Cheryl concluded.

Avocados may lower risk of cardiovascular disease, study finds

Standoff between the United States and Mexico over Avocados continues. The United States department of agriculture has said that US imports of new Mexican avocado will stay suspended for as long as necessary to ensure safety of American inspectors who were threatened verbally in Mexico.

United States suspend Mexican avocado imports

The United States has&nbsp;"paused" avocado imports from Mexico after a US inspector received threatening phone calls.

Mexican authorities said an official who was inspecting export shipments from Uruapan Michoacán city received a threatening call on his cellphone even as US and Mexican authorities planned to boost security.

The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said it was investigating the incident as the US embassy in Mexico said, "facilitating the export of Mexican avocados and ensuring the safety of our agricultural inspection teams go hand in hand."

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The US had earlier considered suspending the purchase of avocado due to the country's security situation. Mexico is the world's largest producer of avocados. This month Mexico is set to export 140,000 tons of avocados to the United States.

Mexico had earlier delivered a large shipment to the United States during the Super Bowl event. It is widely used as a snack during the high profile event. However, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador blamed "conspiracy" against his country for the suspension.

"There are also a lot of political interests and&nbsp;there is competition," President Obrador said.

"They don't want Mexican avocados to get into the United States because it would rule in the United States because of its quality," the president added.

Reports claim Mexico's Michoacán region has witnessed a sharp increase in crime in recent years around avocado plantations.

The Michoacan area is known for its turf wars between gangs with cartels reigning supreme. The Mexican army had recently entered Michoacan which is considered the stronghold of the Jalisco cartel.

(With inputs from Agencies)

The United States has "paused" avocado imports from Mexico after a US inspector received threatening phone calls. Mexican authorities said an official who was inspecting export shipments from Uruapan Michoacán city received a threatening call on his cellphone even as US and Mexican authorities planned to boost security.

The United States has "paused" avocado imports from Mexico after a US inspector received threatening phone calls. Mexican authorities said an official who was inspecting export shipments from Uruapan Michoacán city received a threatening call on his cellphone even as US and Mexican authorities planned to boost security. The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said it was investigating the incident as the US embassy in Mexico said, "facilitating the export of Mexican avocados and ensuring the safety of our agricultural inspection teams go hand in hand." Also Read: How climate change will impact plantation of cash crops such as avocado The US had earlier considered suspending the purchase of avocado due to the country's security situation. Mexico is the world's largest producer of avocados. This month Mexico is set to export 140,000 tons of avocados to the United States. Mexico had earlier delivered a large shipment to the United States during the Super Bowl event. It is widely used as a snack during the high profile event. However, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador blamed "conspiracy" against his country for the suspension. "There are also a lot of political interests and there is competition," President Obrador said. "They don't want Mexican avocados to get into the United States because it would rule in the United States because of its quality," the president added. Reports claim Mexico's Michoacán region has witnessed a sharp increase in crime in recent years around avocado plantations. The Michoacan area is known for its turf wars between gangs with cartels reigning supreme. The Mexican army had recently entered Michoacan which is considered the stronghold of the Jalisco cartel. (With inputs from Agencies)

Cartels & turf wars: Why the US suspended avocado imports from Mexico

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