Study Finds That Avocado Leaves Have Potential Restorative Effects on Major Organs

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Avocado flesh is a nutritional powerhouse of healthy fats, but avocado leaves are also nutritious and can be a natural therapeutic alternative for restoring the body’s major organs.

In a study published in the International Journal of Phytomedicine and Phytotherapy, researchers discovered that avocado leaf extracts may aid significantly in repairing the liver, kidney, and heart.

The preparation involved rinsing avocado leaves in distilled water, air-drying them, blending them into a powder, mixing them with 80 percent ethanol, then freeze-drying them into an extract after three days.

The researchers conducted their study with 40 rats, randomly divided into eight groups. Over two weeks, the groups received different treatments.

Groups one and two were given water, groups three and four were given an avocado leaf extract, and group five received silymarin, a supplement often used for liver and gallbladder disorders.

Group six was given rifampicin, a medicine used to treat tuberculosis, blood infections, and leprosy, while groups seven and eight were given rifampicin and avocado leaf extract.

Further clinical studies are required, but the study revealed that the avocado leaf extract compared favorably with commercially available drugs used for treating liver, kidney, and heart diseases. Additionally, it presented fewer side effects than rifampicin, which caused significant oxidative stress on the liver and heart tissues.

The effectiveness of avocado leaves was attributed to their disease-inhibiting phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. The study adds to other research hinting at the leaves’ potential as an alternative in managing disorders involving multiple organs.

One can enjoy the benefits of avocado leaves by making a tea. Steep the leaves, preferably organic, in boiled water for three to five minutes, then strain and add your sweetener of choice.

(Jaboo2foto/Shutterstock)
Jaboo2foto/Shutterstock

Remedy for Lead Poisoning

Another animal study done in 2020 study found that avocado leaves could treat lead poisoning in the brain and support tissue regeneration in the cerebellum.

After exposure to lead acetate, albino rats exhibited signs of irritability, aggression, and inflammation, but their healing process improved significantly after being given the avocado leaf extract.

Topical application of the extract to wounds expedited recovery, leading to complete healing after six days.

The avocado leaf extract also protected against lead acetate toxicity in the cerebellum. According to microscope examination of tissue samples, the lead acetate inflicted significant changes to the structure of the cerebellum, but the tissues were regenerated when treated with the extract.

Treating Diabetes

A study published in 2022 suggested that avocado leaves may also have therapeutic potential for Type 2 diabetes.

Researchers observed that the leaves promoted the regeneration of pancreatic cells and suppressed enzyme activity in carbohydrate metabolism, which are anti-diabetic characteristics.

Notably, the leaves contained significantly more disease-inhibiting phenolic compounds than the fruit, making them a valuable option for managing diabetes.

The leaves contained 178.95 milligrams of gallic acid equivalents per gram, compared with the fruits’ 145.7 milligrams.

Another recent study found that avocado leaves are effective at reducing blood pressure, a quality that is attributed to the presence of quercetin, a type of flavonoid and a potent natural antioxidant.
People with diabetes and high blood pressure face four times the risk of developing heart disease as those without either condition.

Various studies in hypertensive rats have shown that quercetin exerts a diuretic effect by increasing urine volume, thereby reducing blood pressure.