Avocados' effect on hormonal physiology: a comprehensive narrative review

Abstract

Avocados have gained increase importance as potent alternative remedies due to its rich phytochemistry and potential therapeutic benefits against a host of human disorders. Of note, an increasing body of literature is demonstrating the fruit's extensive effects against hormones. Yet, reviews which comprehensively discuss the effects of avocado fruit and/or product consumption on hormonal homeostasis are scarce. Through a systemic literature search, the phytochemicals in avocados will be explored to depict their influence on hormone levels in the body and how they may be applied in the medical field together with their pharmacological safety. This review provides an in-depth assessment of published literature investigating the effects of avocados on human hormonal physiology. Of note, most included articles studied the effects of avocado fruit/seed or extract on digestive and reproductive hormones. Avocados may increase insulin sensitivity and achieve post-prandial satiety more rapidly. Moreover, avocados can decrease female fertility, while having pronounced opposite effects on male fertility. This review underscores the importance the effects of avocados on digestive and reproductive hormonal physiology, however further randomised controlled studies are required to consolidate avocado’s effects on human hormonal physiology.

Keywords

• avocados
• hormones
• fertility
• insulin
• digestive system
• reproductive system