Avocados From Mexico Health Initiative

This health initiative targets a significant health disparity. Hispanic adults in the U.S. are about 70% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than non-Hispanic white adults. The prevalence of both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes among Hispanic adults is estimated at 22%. Avocados are a key ingredient in this initiative due to their diabetes-friendly nutritional profile. They are low in carbohydrates and high in fiber, which helps to prevent blood sugar spikes. The healthy monounsaturated fats in avocados can also improve insulin sensitivity. Recent studies have highlighted the benefits of daily avocado consumption. One study found that women who ate an avocado daily experienced a reduction in visceral belly fat, a type of fat that increases the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Another study linked avocado consumption to a lower overall risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Chef Pati Jinich, the face of the campaign, is a James Beard Award-winning culinary personality and host of the PBS series "Pati's Mexican Table". Before her culinary career, Jinich was a political analyst, a background she left to pursue her passion for sharing authentic Mexican cuisine and culture. This isn't the first health-focused campaign for Avocados From Mexico. The organization has previously partnered with the American Diabetes Association to raise awareness about diabetes management in the Hispanic community. They have also engaged in a multi-year partnership with the breast cancer organization Susan G. Komen. The brand's marketing efforts have significantly boosted avocado consumption in the U.S. Since 1985, avocado consumption has seen a sixfold increase, reaching 2.7 billion pounds in 2022. Campaigns like this one aim to position avocados as a healthy and versatile food choice.