The Full Body Benefits of Avocado Oil

Emily Tam
Avocado oil in a heart-shaped bowl surrounded by fresh ingredients

The Full Body Benefits of Avocado Oil

Between early morning meetings, a busy desk lunch, and fitting in a workout, finding ways to power your day can feel like a full-time job. We get it. Balancing a demanding professional schedule while keeping your wellness goals in mind isn’t always easy. That’s why reading labels and being ingredient-aware has become such an essential habit. If you have been looking for ways to simplify your routine and find options you can feel good about, you have probably seen avocado oil popping up everywhere.

But what are the full body benefits of avocado oil, and why is this vibrant oil worth a closer look? Whether you are drizzling it over fresh greens or seeking a reliable high-heat cooking companion, let’s explore the science behind avocado oil and how it supports a feel good lifestyle.

The Nutritional Profile of Avocado Oil

Avocados were once considered a rare culinary treat, but they have quickly become a dietary staple as people learned to appreciate their buttery flavor and versatile uses. When expeller-pressed, the oil extracted from this fruit offers a rich profile of dietary fats and key compounds.

According to researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, avocados contain monounsaturated fats, potassium, and carotenoids associated with a balanced lifestyle1.

Three fresh avocados on a table

A Favorable Fat Profile

What makes avocado oil unique is its high concentration of oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid that constitutes approximately 70% of its fat profile2. Oleic acid is widely celebrated for its positive role in supporting cardiovascular markers23.

Antioxidants and Bioactives

Avocado oil is also a notable source of antioxidant compounds, including vitamin E and carotenoids like lutein24. These antioxidants help protect cells from oxidative damage, which is a key focus in modern wellness research45.

Internal Wellness Properties of Avocado Oil

Avocado oil does more than just sit nicely in a recipe; it plays an active role in how your body interacts with other foods.

Aiding Nutrient Absorption

Many of the most important nutrients in fresh vegetables, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, are fat-soluble. This means they require dietary fats to be properly absorbed by the body. Research suggests that the presence of vitamin E and monounsaturated fats in avocado oil can help your body absorb other fat-soluble nutrients more efficiently, making it an excellent companion for colorful salads and roasted veggies6.

Supporting Gut and Cardiovascular Markers

Recent research indicates that monounsaturated fats found in avocado oil may support gut health by helping to maintain the integrity of the gut lining7. A strong gut barrier is essential for overall comfort and digestion. Additionally, replacing saturated fats in the diet with monounsaturated fats has been linked to improved cardiovascular health markers, helping to support a balanced, heart-conscious lifestyle3.

Excellent Cooking Performance

For those of us who love a quick weeknight dinner or meal-prepping for a busy week, how an oil performs under heat is just as important as its nutritional makeup.

Jackson's avocado character superhero

Heat Stability at 520°F

Avocado oil has an exceptionally high smoke point of approximately 520°F (271°C)8. When cooking oils are heated past their smoke point, their chemical structure can break down, producing off-flavors and potentially harmful compounds. Oils high in polyunsaturated fats are particularly susceptible to this heat-induced oxidation9. Avocado oil’s high monounsaturated fat content makes it remarkably stable and resistant to oxidation during high-heat cooking89.

Minimally Processed

Traditional avocado oil is expeller-pressed, a process where the fruit is sorted, boiled, mashed, and mechanically pressed without harsh chemicals or solvents. This minimal processing preserves the oil's light color, mild flavor, and active antioxidant compounds10.

External Uses for Skin, Hair, and Nails

The benefits of avocado oil extend beyond the kitchen cabinet. Its rich, moisturizing properties make it a popular addition to personal care routines.

Nourishing Hair and Scalp

Environmental factors like wind, temperature shifts, and styling can strip moisture from your hair and scalp. Avocado oil contains lecithin, a natural lipid that coats hair strands and the scalp with a protective layer, helping to prevent moisture loss and keep hair feeling thick and smooth11.

A woman holding a sliced avocado

Supporting Skin Elasticity

Applying avocado oil topically can soothe dry, irritated skin. Carotenoids like lutein and vitamins like vitamin E contribute to antioxidant defenses that support skin elasticity and barrier function4512. In fact, combination studies have even looked at avocado oil’s soothing properties for dry, inflamed skin conditions like eczema, showing noticeable improvements in comfort13.

Feel Good Snacking Made Simple

Integrating the benefits of high-quality ingredients into a busy day does not have to mean spending hours in the kitchen. Sometimes, it is as simple as making thoughtful choices in the snack aisle.

At Jackson's, we are all about keeping things simple and delicious: real food ingredients, avocado oil, and seasoning. We kettle-cook our sweet potatoes in avocado oil to deliver a superior crunch and a fresh flavor that lets the ingredients shine. It is the ultimate feel good snacking option you can grab on your way out the door, perfect for pairing with your favorite dips or enjoying straight out of the bag.

Check out Jackson’s avocado oil chips for an easy and delicious way to introduce more avocado oil into your day.

Conclusion: A Thoughtful Path to Living Well

Avocado oil is an exceptional ingredient that offers comprehensive support for a balanced lifestyle. From aiding nutrient absorption and supporting gut barrier integrity to offering high-heat stability and deep skin moisturization, the research highlights why this buttery oil has earned its spot as a wellness staple2678.

Embracing simple, ingredient-first choices is a wonderful way to future-pace a lifestyle you can feel good about. The best choices are the ones that make you feel confident, energized, and ready for whatever your busy day holds.

Grab a bag: Shop Jackson's

References

  1. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: Avocados: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/avocados/
  2. Much like the fruit itself, avocado oil is extremely rich in oleic acid, lutein, and Vitamin E: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1756464618306583?via=ihub
  3. Avocado oil consists of unsaturated fats, which are linked to heart health markers: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1756464617305315?via=ihub
  4. Lutein is a carotenoid and an antioxidant that contributes to eye and skin health: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=19&contentid=Lutein
  5. Antioxidants help protect cells from oxidative damage: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/antioxidants
  6. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps your body absorb other fat-soluble nutrients better: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/avocado-oil
  7. Monounsaturated fats found in avocado oil may help support the integrity of your gut lining: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464624004961
  8. Favorable fat profile rich in monounsaturated fats and high smoke point: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/fats/monounsaturated-fats
  9. High-PUFA oils are more prone to oxidation during high-heat cooking compared to monounsaturated-rich oils: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6600360/
  10. Oil quality tests can detect oxidation, purity, and minimal processing: https://pubag.nal.usda.gov/catalog/6936210
  11. Board-certified dermatologist Stacy Chimento on fatty acids and lecithin moisturizing skin and hair: https://www.riverchasedermatology.com/providers/stacy-chimento-md/
  12. Vitamin E is an antioxidant nutrient that protects cells from damage and promotes skin health: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4988453/
  13. Combination study on avocado oil and vitamin B12 significantly reducing dry, inflamed skin condition symptoms: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11586013/