Can you eat black avocado?

In this short article, we will answer the question “Can you eat black avocado? ” with a brief description of avocado, its uses and benefits, side effects of eating black avocado,  and nutritional components of black avocado.

Can you eat black avocado?

Yes, you can eat black avocado. The colour of fresh avocado is a light green that is edible but sometimes avocado has isolated dark brown or black spots on it. 

These spots may be due to bruising or overripe conditions and not only because of extensive spoilage. You can cut that part away but if the avocado does not taste bad and looks good then it is fine to eat. However, if these spots are overall on the flesh of the avocado then it presents a rotten avocado.

What is avocado?

Avocado is a fruit tree plant that resembles a large berry plant containing a single seed. It is a self-pollinated plant. To improve the quantity and quality of avocado, it is propagated through grafting where tissues of distinct plants are combined to get better quality fruits.

How do avocados ripe?

As we pick the avocados from the tree the ripeness process proceeds quickly afterwards. Once it ripens completely, it has a very short duration to remain fresh for consumption, most probably a few days otherwise after that it starts to spoil.

Spoiled avocados 

Dark streaks in avocado

Dark streaks may be a sign of rotten avocado but these dark streaks are also present in those avocado fruits which are harvested from young plants. 

The only way to recognize if it is edible or not is the smell or appearance. If these characteristics are good then it is fine to eat, otherwise, discard them. 

In the same way, some avocados are stringy in texture that may also present their spoiled nature but these stringy or fibrous conditions may also be a growing condition.

Off flavour or odour

The taste and smell of ripened avocado are pleasant and fresh with an aroma of a slightly sweet nature whereas the taste and smell of spoiled fruit are abnormal like a chemical odour. This rancidity is due to the breakdown of fruit’s unsaturated fats by microbes and bacterial compounds. 

The rancid nature of avocado leads toward the formation of toxic compounds so, it is better to avoid taking rancid avocado.

Mould

Sometimes mould grows on the external side of the avocado that looks fuzzy. Do not sniff such avocadoes because they will cause allergic reactions in those who are sensitive and will cause trouble in breathing.

The external mould may also damage avocado flesh and cause decay. If you cut and see mould on the flesh, do not eat it, as mould can spread easily through the soft flesh, so discard the entire avocado.

You can get sick from eating mould.

How to save overripe avocados

The ripening process starts from stem to downwards. Whether it is safe to eat over-ripened parts of avocadoes or not depends upon the progress level of decay and how far it has been decayed. 

As we cut the avocado, its flesh begins to turn brown due to oxygen exposure just like apples. That is a natural process. The rest can be eaten after skimming off the discoloured skin.

To keep avocados safe from turning brown, apply the lemon juice on the flesh of the avocado and then refrigerate them in a sealed container.

Health benefits of avocado

Nutritional enrichment

Avocados are rich in nutrients like vitamin C, E, K as well as vitamin B6 and also riboflavin, niacin, magnesium, potassium and beta carotene.

Avocado also consists of highly nutritious fats that make us feel fuller between meals. Taking fat, slow down the breakdown process of carbohydrates that helps to maintain blood sugar levels in a normal range. 

Fat has a great significant level because it is the basic need of every cell. It makes healthy skin and increases the absorption level of fat-soluble substances. It also boosts our immune system.

Half of the avocado roughly contain these nutrients,

  • 160 Calories
  • Fibres mostly of 6.7g
  • Sugar not more than 1g
  • Fat that may be 14.7g
  • Carbohydrates level of 8.5g

Boosts Cardiac level

There are 76 milligrams of a natural sterol of plant in every 100 avocados, which is termed beta-sitosterol. Its regular consumption maintains the healthy cholesterol level in the body that helps in the normal functioning of the heart.

Best for vision 

Avocados consist of zeaxanthin and lutein, which are phytochemicals that are present in the eyes. These give us antioxidant protection to reduce the destruction caused by UV light. By the addition of avocados to diet, it minimizes the risk of development of ageing macular degeneration.

Minimizes the depression level

Avocados also provide folate that has a direct relationship with depression, helps in good sleep, regulate mood level and good appetite.

Side effects of avocado

Side effects of avocado are rare but if consumed in excessive amounts, it can maximize blood thinner levels due to the presence of vitamin K or it may cause an allergic reaction from its side product like avocado oil so it is better to first try such things on a small patch of body.

Other FAQs about Avocado that you may be interested in.

Can you boil avocado? (3 Other Methods)

Can you eat green avocado?

Can you heat avocado?

Conclusion

In this short article, we have answered the question “Can you eat black avocado? ” with a brief description of avocado, its uses and benefits, side effects of eating black avocado,  and nutritional components of black avocado.

References

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/when-is-an-avocado-bad#how-to-cut
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avocado
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321543#risks

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