Avocado skin, AKA the endocarp, is the outer layer that keeps your avocados safe! The skin ranges in color from green to a very dark, almost black purple. Its texture can also vary wildly from very rough to silky smooth. If you are like most people, you probably just discard the skin and eat the flesh. But can you eat avocado skin? Let’s find out!
Can you eat avocado skin? Avocado skin is edible and nutritious! It is best to eat the skin from Topa Topa or Mexola avocados as they have thin and silky smooth skin. Avocados with thick rough skin should be avoided as they have a bitter flavor and are difficult to swallow.
While it is not common to eat avocado skin, it is perfectly fine to do so. Your body is more than capable of digesting avocado skin. Avocado skin is high in fiber which is great for managing blood pressure and digestive health and regulates blood sugar.
Is Avocado Skin Poisonous?
Avocado skin is not poisonous or toxic. Even though it does contain a fungicide, persin this fungicide is perfectly healthy for humans to consume and may even cure breast cancer! Despite avocado skin being healthy, it does not have the best flavor and is quite bitter.
If you are going to eat avocado skin, it is best to eat it alongside the flesh. Eating avocado skin just by itself is not a pleasant experience because it can be very bitter. You should stick to avocados with thin and smooth skin, such as Topa Topa or Mexicola. These avocados have mild skin, which is easy to chew. Avoid all avocados with a thick and rough skin as the flavor tends to be stronger, and it is very difficult to chew the skin.
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What Is The Best Way To Eat Avocado Skin?
The best way to eat avocado skin is to cut open the avocado, scoop out the stone, and throw the flesh with the skin into a blender with your favorite fruits and some milk. This creates an incredibly rich, creamy, and nutritious smoothie. Our favorite combination is avocado, blueberries, and bananas.
We recommend using the skin from Mexicola avocados as the skin is very thin, packed full of nutrients, and has a mild flavor without any unpleasant bitterness! Mexicola avocados go with nearly any fruit! Try this incredible smoothie recipe:
Avocado Skin Smoothie Instructions Ingredients
- 1/2 of a large avocado with skin
- 1 1/2 cups of milk
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
- 1/8 teaspoon of salt
- 1 scoop of protein powder
Avocado Skin Smoothie Instructions
- Peel the avocado and remove the stone but keep the skin!
- Add all ingredients to the blender
- Blend until everything is combined, you can throw in some ice cream or ice cubes if you want it extra sweet and thick!
- Serve cold
This super tasty avocado skin smoothie is packed full of flavor and healthy nutrients. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days, but you will drink it all in one day, it’s that good!
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Is Eating Avocado Skin Healthy?
Avocado skin is extremely healthy and packed full of fiber and nutrients. Avocado skin is high in a range of antioxidants such as chlorophyll, phenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids.
Eating avocado skin regularly will boost your health! Avocado skin is high in phenol which scientists have is highly effective at stopping cancerous cells. At the same time, the flavonoids contained in avocado skin are effective at preventing diabetes!
Avocado skin’s health benefits don’t stop there! Carotenoids protect your eyes from blue light damage and prevent vision loss. Avocado skin is also high in chlorophyll which is effective for weight management, wound healing, and healthy skin. Avocado skin can significantly reduce your chances of getting cancer and heart disease.
Can Dogs Eat Avocado Skin?
Dogs can eat avocado skins but whether they will like them is another story. Avocado skins are healthy for dogs and are not poisonous. The rumor that they are toxic to dogs was started because avocado skins contain a fungicide, persin. Persin is toxic to birds and some livestock but 100% safe for dogs and humans.
Persin is a fungicide that an avocado produces to kill fungus and keep the avocado healthy. Persin is completely natural and is present in the avocado plant’s leaves, seeds, fruit, and skin.
Dogs can consume the small amount of persin found in avocados and avocado skin without any issues. Dogs are not as sensitive to this poison as other animals, such as horses. However, you should only sparingly feed your dog avocado skins as too much persin can lead to digestion issues. Dogs typically only suffer serious side effects from persin when they consume it via the leaves or bark of an avocado tree.
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Should People Eat Avocado Skin?
While avocado skins are healthy, their bitter flavor and strange texture make them unappetizing. Even though avocado skins are rich in antioxidants, you can find these same antioxidants in more tasty foods. If you do want to eat avocado skins, blend them in a smoothie and use Mexola avocados.
Avocado skins are not poisonous or toxic. They are, in fact, very healthy and are loaded with antioxidants. However, their chewy texture and bland to bitter taste make them unappealing. We don’t recommend eating avocado skins and prefer just eating the flesh! However, don’t be afraid of throwing some Mexola avocado skins into your next smoothie!
Final Thoughts
It is totally safe for people to eat avocado skins. Avocado skins are not poisonous and are, in fact, loaded with fiber and antioxidants. They have a range of health benefits, including decreasing the risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, stabilizing blood sugar, and helping people maintain a healthy weight. Even though avocado skins are healthy, they are not very tasty, thanks to their bitter flavor and chewy texture. The best skin to eat is from Mexola avocados as the skin is thin, and the flavor is only slightly bitter. To enjoy avocado skins, we recommend throwing them in your next avocado smoothie!
