Communicating the nutrition and health benefits of avocados (AV18004)

What was it all about?

Running from late 2018 to early 2019, this investment brought together research relating to the key nutritional properties and health benefits of avocados. It has substantiated the health and nutrition claims that the avocado industry is able to make, for use in various forms of education.

Full details of all the claims that can be made about avocados – and, importantly, how and why they can be made – are detailed in the full final research report, which is available to download from the top of this page. This information, and all of the related disclaimers, guidelines and legal information, is intended to be read together. However, in brief, the permitted nutrient content claims are outlined below:

• Avocado has 100kcal in a 50g serve
• Avocado contains healthy/good fats
• Avocado contains healthy monounsaturated fats / Avocados, along with olives, are the only fruits
• to contain healthy monounsaturated fat
• Avocado contains a high proportion of total fat as unsaturated fats / Avocado contains mostly unsaturated fats
• Avocado is trans-fat free/free of trans fats
• Avocados are naturally low in sugars, with less than 1g per serve
• Avocado is a source of dietary fibre
• Avocado contains soluble fibre
• Avocado is naturally low in sodium, with just 2mg per serve
• Avocado contains potassium
• Avocado is a source of/contains niacin
• Avocado is a source of/contains pantothenic acid
• Avocado is a source of/contains folate
• Avocado is a source of/contains vitamin C
• Avocado is a source of/contains vitamin E
• Avocado is a source of/contains vitamin K
• Avocado contains boron
• Avocado contains polyphenol antioxidants / Avocado contains 70mgGAE polyphenol antioxidants per 50 serve
• Avocado contains colourful carotenoids - beta carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin
• Avocados are naturally gluten free

The final research report also outlines all of the general health claims that can be made about avocados, including messaging such as “Avocado looks after your skin from within thanks to its healthy fats, niacin and vitamins C and E (as part of a healthy, varied diet)”, “Avocado is an energy booster/fatigue fighter (as part of a healthy, varied diet). It contains energy-boosting nutrients niacin, pantothenic acid, folate and vitamin C”, and “Avocado is a nutrient-booster – the healthy fats in avocado help absorb essential nutrients such as fat-soluble nutrients such as vitamin E and antioxidants”.

Lifestyle claims, such as avocados being paleo friendly, a nutrient-dense superfood and more are also detailed in the final research report, as are specific claims relating to babies and toddlers.

Information in the final research report is intended to be used by industry in consumer education activities, and will be available for us in Hort Innovation Avocado Fund marketing activities. The information will also be able to be drawn upon to help educate health professionals – arming them with accurate messaging around avocados when discussing health and nutrition with their clients, patients and the general community.