In the past, we have written many blogs about the health benefits of avocados.

The fatty fruit can help reduce cholesterol. Eating one daily can help you make better food choices. That is why we have written multiple recipe blogs using them as the star ingredient!

Avocados may also help blood sugar. Dr. Jennifer Stone of the Walden Univ. College of Nursing said that it may be because of the high level of fiber found in avocados.

“A medium avocado contains about 12 grams of carbs and over 10 grams of fiber,” said Dr. Stone. “Numerous studies have shown that high dietary fiber can reduce blood sugar and improve insulin resistance. Avocados have a low glycemic index of 40 and don’t contain any naturally occurring sugar.”

A new study aimed to see how much avocado helped blood sugar. The researchers pointed out that avocados contain antioxidants and nutrients that aid insulin sensitivity and that the sugar they contain may be beneficial.

“Avocado has a lower glycemic index and sugar content, such as sucrose and glucose, than other fruits,” the researchers wrote. “Its main sugar is … a unique seven-carbon sugar that may help control blood glucose.”

The study used the health and dietary information of 25,640 people. About 45 percent of the people in the study ate avocado.

One group of the daily avocado eaters had a lower risk for blood sugar concerns — women. That was observed even when ruling out factors like age, weight, exercise habits and more.

Men did not appear to gain the same blood sugar benefits as women. However, there was a key difference. About 38 percent of the men smoked, while only around 12 percent of the women did. It might be that smoking, not sex is the determining factor.      

“Smokers are more likely to develop [blood sugar concerns] because exposure to nicotine can reduce the effectiveness of insulin,” they wrote, before noting that, “Men are more likely to engage in binge drinking than women. This behavior is associated with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome.”

Alcohol usage was not considered in the factors when trying to determine if avocados helped blood sugar levels. If a person smokes and drinks, avocados might be unable to counter those additional risks. The researchers want to do a more in-depth study to see the long-term impact of avocados on blood sugar in the sexes.

This study doesn’t confirm a link between blood sugar and avocados. However, we know that avocados have benefits in other health areas as they are packed with fiber and nutrients. They may or may not benefit both sexes but cannot hurt. It’s important to pay attention to your intake as they are high in calories and fat. But they are a delicious and nutritious way to aid your body!

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