- Poor diet quality has been associated with a higher risk of cardiometabolic disease.
- A recent study suggests daily avocado consumption may improve overall diet quality, but the effects on cardiometabolic health were unclear.
- Experts say a varied and balanced diet is the best way to support long-term health and longevity.
In the United States, many adults have poor diet quality and do not meet key dietary recommendations provided by the
With poor diet quality being the leading risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases, this increases the risk for chronic health conditions that are among the
Finding ways to improve diet quality in the general population is crucial for promoting better health outcomes.
Now, a recent study from Penn State University analyzed the impact of a food-based intervention — daily avocado intake — on diet quality and cardiometabolic risk.
The findings, published in Current Developments in Nutrition, revealed that consuming one avocado daily for 26 weeks improved adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans among adults with abdominal obesity. However, the changes in diet quality did not directly influence cardiometabolic disease risk factors.
The study received funding from the Avocado Nutrition Center.
In this 26-week, multi-center, randomized controlled trial, researchers studied 1,008 participants aged 25 and older with abdominal obesity and typically low avocado intake.
Participants were divided into two groups. One group was provided with a daily supply of one avocado (approximately 168 grams) and received guidance on how to include it in their daily diet. The other (control) group, was asked to maintain their usual dietary habits, limiting their avocado consumption to two or fewer per month, and received no dietary counseling.
Diet quality was evaluated through unannounced 24-hour recalls at various intervals during the study, and scored with the
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