Avocado is easily one of the most popular fruits out there. So much more than just a nutritional powerhouse, it’s incredibly versatile. It’s enjoyed on its own, sprinkled with salt and pepper, chopped into salads, and, of course, whipped into guacamole. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also a social media darling even today, years after the rise of avocado toast gripped the population.
Often touted as a superfood, avocados have earned widespread respect from nutritionists. Tom Smurr, RD, explained to Eat This, Not That!, “Extremely versatile, avocado provides completely natural fat and is a great source of fiber and potassium. This makes it a powerhouse to feel full longer, stay regular, and replenish hard-to-get electrolytes.”
Given all of these accolades, it may come as a big surprise to learn that not everyone should eat the creamy food. For some individuals who have certain health conditions, the fruit can pose significant health risks — yes, really. While not “dangerous” per se, avocados can interact with certain medications and even cause important lab values to fluctuate. Here are several of the health risks linked to avocado consumption.
Eating avocado could cause allergies if you have latex-fruit syndrome
People who are allergic to latex are more likely to have a condition called latex-fruit syndrome, which causes a reaction when consuming foods that contain a certain type of protein that is sourced from the sap in rubber trees. Sadly for those who would love to eat avocado, the fruit happens to be one of those foods. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, some 30% to 50% of individuals who have a standard latex allergy to items like some medical gloves and dental products may develop the syndrome.
In addition to avocado, people with this allergy may also experience symptoms upon consuming bananas, peaches, tomatoes, or kiwi, and other select fruits and vegetables. Common signs of a problem mimic traditional allergic reactions, including skin discomfort, swelling, and stomach pain (per Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy). Very rarely, some individuals may go into anaphylactic shock.
If you suspect that you have an allergy to latex and are experiencing symptoms of latex-fruit syndrome, pay a visit to your physician or an allergist for an evaluation. They can perform a test that involves pricking your skin with a small quantity of the latex protein just beneath the skin’s surface. Usually this is performed on your back or your forearm. If your skin develops a bump or shows any type of reaction, you may have a latex allergy.
Avocados could interact with blood thinners for atrial fibrillation
People who have atrial fibrillation, a clotting disorder, or who are otherwise at risk of developing a blood clot are typically prescribed blood thinners to prevent them from developing. These are life-saving medications that could prevent strokes, heart attacks, or pulmonary embolisms. To work effectively, blood thinners reduce the effect of vitamin K in the body, which in turn slows your blood’s ability to clot.
While there are several different types of blood thinners, warfarin has been known to interact with foods that contain vitamin K. And while avocado in and of itself is not the most vitamin K-rich of all fruits, a single 100-gram serving of avocado contains 18% of the daily value (per Healthline). That’s why your medical provider may recommend that you limit your intake of foods with vitamin K, as they may counteract the medication’s effects and potentially reduce how well they work.
Bear in mind that everyone’s needs are different. Your doctor might suggest that you consume a consistent amount of vitamin K daily instead of completely avoiding avocado and other foods in that category. Sudden changes to how you eat, though, could interfere with the drug. If you do eat avocados regularly and are prescribed warfarin, it’s best to speak with your provider to ensure your dosage is properly adjusted to avoid any potential complications.
Potassium in avocados could be harmful to people with kidney disease
People with early-stage kidney disease don’t necessarily have to watch their potassium consumption, as at this point the organs can still process the mineral efficiently. However, as the disease progresses to later stages, the kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter potassium. This can cause it to build up in the bloodstream, potentially leading to a dangerous imbalance in the body known as hyperkalemia. Although the condition itself is not too common, patients with late-stage kidney disease are “up to three times more likely” to develop the condition (per Cleveland Clinic).
Given that a third of an avocado contains 250 milligrams of potassium, it’s crucial for patients who are watching their intake to limit consumption of the fruit (and other potassium-packed foods). Hyperkalemia doesn’t usually cause symptoms at its earliest stages, although some people might develop diarrhea or nausea — but not necessarily link them to increased dietary potassium. Elevated levels are typically detected through blood work, at which point a doctor may prescribe either a diuretic or a potassium binder. If a patient’s kidneys have stopped producing urine, however, a diuretic may not be effective. Binders help the patient excrete potassium from the body, but they may also cause uncomfortable abdominal side effects.
To be safe, it’s best to avoid avocado and other potassium-rich foods altogether. A renal dietitian can help you make smart choices that are best for your long-term health and prognosis.
People with digestion problems could have trouble with avocado
Avocados may be high in nutrients, but they can be risky for people who follow a low-FODMAP diet. FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) are groups of short-chain carbohydrates that may be difficult for some people to digest. That can lead to symptoms like gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and general stomach upset.
Unfortunately, avocados may contain a significant amount of FODMAPs depending on their size. According to Monash University, which publishes a FODMAP ranking system and conducts regular studies to maintain accurate information, recent testing of the fruit revealed the presence of perseitol, a type of sugar polyol. As with other types of sugar polyols, perseitol may cause gas, bloating, and other digestive symptoms.
That said, some people who consume a low-FODMAP diet may still be able to incorporate avocado. The Monash University findings indicate that while it is still rated high on the FODMAP scale, avocado’s serving size may affect how a person responds. If you’re uncertain, you might wish to perform an experiment and consume just a small amount to see how it affects your stomach. The right balance could be all that’s standing between maintaining a happy gut and enjoying the fruit (in moderation).
Tyramine in avocado could be a trigger for migraines
A migraine can completely throw you off course. In many cases, you have no choice but to lie down and wait for it to pass — and for people experiencing a serious migraine attack, those symptoms could potentially last for up to three days. This is why so many seek medical intervention for their migraines, as standard treatments like over-the-counter medications simply don’t do the job. It may also be helpful to make a few lifestyle changes, beginning with your diet.
While there is no precise eating plan that works for everyone, some people find that avocados are a significant trigger. The culprit is tyramine, an amino acid in the fruit that can lead to discomfort. There are several other fruits that fall under this category, including plums, papayas, raisins, passion fruit, and red plums, along with a host of other foods (per University of Hampshire Health & Wellness). Noah Rosen, MD, tells Everyday Health, “There are varying degrees of evidence for specific foods to be triggers, but there may also be a wide range of individual responses.” That said, he attributes the high tyramine levels found in avocados to their tendency to cause migraines.
If you suspect that avocado is a trigger, it may be helpful to keep a food diary. Keep track of your consumption and how it affects you. This will help you identify specific patterns related to the fruit (and any other foods you suspect could be to blame).
GERD may be aggravated by the fat in avocado
Heartbreaking but true: it could be that avocado is to blame for that uncomfortable acid reflux attack. While there’s no denying that avocado qualifies in every sense of the word as a superfood for its many nutritional benefits, it can be very hard on the stomach if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. People with GERD develop stomach acid that chronically irritates the lining of the esophagus, leading to common symptoms like heartburn, backwash (which causes a telltale sour taste at the back of the throat), nausea, and throat clearing or a sensation of a lump in the throat.
Even if you avoid eating the usual greasy triggers, like fried foods and pizza, you could still set yourself up for discomfort if you indulge in an avocado. Dr. Colin Cable, who is the assistant chief scientist of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, explains to Good Housekeeping, “Fatty foods, whether they’re greasy burgers, or foods that we consider healthy, such as avocados or nuts, take longer to digest and so sit in the stomach for longer, causing more acid to be produced. The more acid produced, the more likely it is to result in heartburn.”
The absolute best thing you can do is avoid avocado altogether. But if you do mistakenly consume it or simply have a craving you can’t resist, follow up with an over-the-counter or prescription medication to help you manage your symptoms better.
Patients who take some hypertension medications shouldn’t eat avocado
Beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors are prescribed to manage high blood pressure (and other heart-related issues). These medications can significantly benefit your heart health, but both may also cause elevated potassium levels. This occurs because they reduce the kidneys’ ability to efficiently excrete the potassium, causing it to accumulate in the bloodstream.
Since avocados are rich in potassium, individuals who take beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors should avoid consuming too many. This could exacerbate the risk of developing hyperkalemia, according to Bethanne Brown, who teaches professor of pharmacy practice at the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy at the University of Cincinnati (via AARP). These elevated levels could lead to serious health consequences, including muscle atrophy, irregular heartbeat, and, in more extreme cases, cardiac arrest.
Because of this interaction, it’s important to watch your avocado intake, along with other foods that contain potassium. While you don’t necessarily need to give up on the fruit entirely, it’s helpful to be mindful of portion sizes. Since hyperkalemia doesn’t always present with symptoms, the most proactive step you can take to prevent it is to manage your diet and consult with your doctor or a dietitian to ensure you’re making smart choices that benefit your health.