The Effect of Daily Avocado Intake on Food and Nutrient Displacement in a Free-Living Population with Abdominal...

Avocado intake has been associated with improvements in diet quality. Whether this response is because of avocado intake, per se, or combined with a food and/or nutrient displacement (D) has yet to be determined.

This secondary analysis, conducted using dietary data from the Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial, sought to assess the effect of consuming a large avocado (168 g, 281 kcal) daily in the avocado-supplemented diet (AD) group compared with the habitual diet (HD) group on food and nutrient D.

Using data from 3 unannounced telephone 24-h dietary recalls conducted during the 6-mo intervention period, food intake data were evaluated for 898 participants, aged 25-87 y, and a BMI range of 20.5-60.3 kg/m². The food group distribution, energy, and nutrient intake of the AD group (n = 436) were calculated and compared with those of the HD group (n = 462).

The AD group had a higher daily intake of energy (159 ± 575 kcal) (P < 0.001), potassium (3193 ± 817 mg compared with 2419 ± 843 mg) (P < 0.005), fiber (30 ± 8 g compared with 19 ± 9 g) (P < 0.05), and a lower daily intake of animal protein (49 ± 33 g compared with 55 ± 24 g) (P = 0.02) compared with the HD group. Partial D with an avocado was observed for energy (43%), total fat (23%), and carbohydrate (87%), indicating a lower intake of these nutrients from non-avocado sources in the AD group. Food group analysis revealed a lower consumption of animal-derived protein from red meat, processed meats, poultry, and fish in the AD group, with no significant differences observed in dairy and egg intake between groups.

Incorporating 1 avocado daily led to favorable modifications in the dietary composition of participants, including an increase in potassium and fiber intake, which can improve diet quality.This trial was registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03528031.