11 Side Effects Of Avocados You Should Be Aware Of

We bet you never knew avocados could affect your health adversely in so many ways.

Medically reviewed by Reda Elmardi, RDN
Written by Tanya Choudhary, B.Desgn, ISSA Certified Specialist In Fitness & Nutrition
Edited by Ravi Teja Tadimalla, BSc, Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition and Health
Fact-checked by Moksha Gandhi, BPharm, Certified Health & Wellness Coach  • 

If you are wondering about the side effects of avocado, we have got you covered! With avocado being touted as one of the healthiest fruits out there, this might come as a surprise to many people out there. However, it is important to be aware of the possible risks associated with avocado consumption rather than suffer the consequences later.

Avocado is enriched with not only essential nutrients that are beneficial for your skin and hair health but also with 25 vital vitamins and minerals (1). Not only that, it is also a rich source of dietary fiber, protein, and many important phytochemicalsi  XSubstances present in plants that give their color, aroma, and flavor and reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. (2).

Avocado is more commonly known as alligator pear in Europe, butte fruit in India, and aguacate palta in Spanish. This amazingly beneficial fruit hails from Guam, Mexico, and other parts of Central America. However, many of its variants are now commonly found in Brazil, Colombia, West India, the Dominican Republic, and other parts of the world as well.

protip_icon Know The Flip Side: Avocado

Short-Term Effects
Itching and tingling sensation of lips, mouth, and throat, diarrhea and nausea.

Long-Term Effects
Liver damage, asthma, hypersensitivity, and blocked arteries.

Drug Interactions
Negatively reacts with anticoagulants.

When To See A Doctor
If you experience difficulty breathing, watery eyes, severe rashes, or fainting.

Given its wide popularity and easy availability, it becomes all the more important to be aware of the side effects of avocado. To help you understand the possible risks better, we have summed them all up in this article for you. Scroll down and read on to know more!

Side Effects Of Avocados

Given below are the top avocado side effects here:

Side effects of avocado
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1. Avoid During Pregnancy And Breastfeeding

It is not advisable to eat avocado during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It may reduce milk production. It can also cause damage to the mammary gland. If the breastfeeding mother consumes avocado in large amount, the baby will have an upset stomach. However, there is not enough research to support this claim.

protip_icon Fun Fact
Legend has it that avocados were consumed as far back as 10,000 years ago and have their origin in the Tehuacan Valley (present-day Mexico).

2. Avocado Hypersensitivity

Woman vomiting near sink in the bathroom due to side effects of avocados
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People suffering from hypersensitivity should avoid eating avocados. It may cause skin reactions, such as a skin rash or vomiting (3).

3. Avocado Causes Allergy

Close up of a woman itching her skin as an allergic reaction due to side effects of avocados
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Avocado can have adverse effects, terrible skin issues with allergies being the major effect. Symptoms of an allergic reaction are hives, itching, skin redness, and eczemai  XA chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes dry and cracked skin, itching, redness, and rashes. (4).

Tricia, a blogger, experienced gastrointestinal distress after consuming guacamole. She realized she was allergic to avocado after having the fruit in her meals. She said, “The itchy throat should have been my first clue – the gastrointestinal symptoms followed about an hour later (similar to what I experience with shrimp, but not as intense) (i).”

4. Adverse Effects Of Avocado

Frustrated young woman touching her forehead as she is suffering from migraine at home due to side effects of avocados.
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Many people who consume avocado suffer from adverse effects, such as flu, paralysis, nausea, gastrointestinal disorder, vomiting, migraine, headache, fever, drowsiness, dizziness, and asthma.

5. Liver Damage

One of the serious side effects of avocados is that it can damage liver health. There are certain types of avocado oil which may cause damage to your liver. Try to avoid Mexican avocado which consists of estragolei  XA natural organic compound used as an additive, fragrance, or flavoring agent in food and cosmetic products that may cause cancer. and anetholei  XAn organic compound found in essential oils that is used in food and pharmaceuticals as a flavoring agent and may cause cancer. . These elements have been tested for carcinogenici  XAny agent, substance, radiation, or organism capable of causing cancer and damage to liver functioning. reactions. Thus, consumption of these may cause damage to the liver (5), (6). If you are suffering from compromised liver function and to avoid avocado oil side effects, stop eating this fruit.

6. Sensitivity To Latex

People who are sensitive to latex should avoid taking avocado as it increases the level of serum IgE antibodies in the body which may cause allergic reaction (7).

7. Reduce Cholesterol

You may be happy reading that avocado reduces cholesterol level. Yes, that’s true, but if you consume it in large amount, it will harm your body as it is rich in beta – sitosterol that absorbs necessary cholesterol from the body (8).

8. Restrict Its Consumption If You Are On Diet

Avocado is a high calorie food and it will increase your weight. So avoid eating them daily if you are on a diet. The high calorie content of avocado can be attributed to its healthy fats. That said, it does not elevate sugar levels as it contains very few carbs.

protip_icon Did You Know?
The avocado was revered as it was believed to have mystical properties. The Aztecs believed the fruit would give strength to whoever consumed it.

9. Cause Mouth Allergy

Close up of a woman having itching sensation in the mouth as an allergic reaction due to side effects of avocados
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If avocado is consumed in adequate amounts then it may cause mouth allergy like itching sensation in the mouth and swelling tongue.

10. Drugs

Avocado in large amounts may decrease the effect of anti inflammatory medication. Hence, its excess consumption leads to blood thinning.

11. Gastrointestinal Irritation:

Woman in pain because of diarrhea in the restroom due to side effects of avocados
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If you consume avocado in large amounts, then you may experience stomach discomfort. It sometimes also causes gastrointestinal irritation (9). Excess intake of avocados may also cause constipation due to its high fiber content. On the other hand, the fruit is high in water too. Consuming the fruit in excess may make it difficult for your body to absorb all the water properly, potentially leading to diarrhea.

While you learned the general side effects of avocados till now, we next discuss the potential risks associated with this fruit in babies.

Avocado Side Effects for Babies

While avocados are generally a healthy choice for babies, it’s important to be aware of its potential side effects for them. They may include the following:

  • Allergic Reactions

Avoid giving infants or children avocados if they have latex sensitivity (10). Some may experience allergic responses such as itching, sneezing, facial swelling, or rashes. In severe cases, breathing difficulties may also occur. Immediate medical attention is advised if any of these symptoms manifest.

  • Stomach Irritation

When you give your baby new and healthy foods such as avocados, it’s a good idea to keep a close watch on them for roughly 24 hours. Even though avocados are nutritious and delicious, some may develop allergies to specific foods. Excess consumption may also lead to stomach discomfort in some cases.

Infographic: How To Deal With Avocado Side Effects

Avocado is one of the healthiest foods and is loaded with many beneficial nutrients. Many consume it as a part of their regular diet. However, there are a few side effects associated with avocado consumption. Hence, following a few tips can help minimize these effects. The following infographic provides information about these tips. Check it out.

how to deal with avocado side effects (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

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Avocados are highly nutritious, delicious fruits with rich antioxidant compounds. The phytochemicals, dietary fiber, and vital vitamins and minerals in them offer several health benefits. However, there are some side effects of avocados one must be aware of. Excess intake of avocados may cause hypersensitivity, allergy, liver damage, nausea, vomiting, asthma, and interaction with blood-thinning medications. In addition, if you are on a diet or are a pregnant or lactating mother, avoid consuming avocados.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it OK to eat avocado every day?

Yes, avocado can be consumed every day in a limited quantity (50 grams a day), as consuming it in excess may trigger adverse effects like bloating, gas, and upset stomach.

Do avocados clog your arteries?

No. Avocados do not clog the arteries. They are loaded with healthy fats that benefit your heart.

Is avocado cold or hot for the body?

Avocado is cold for the body. It is a superfood that may help you cool down.

Is avocado good for the kidneys?

Avocado has high potassium content, which may not be good for people with kidney issues. Therefore, it is best to avoid avocados if you have renal disease or other underlying conditions or medications (11).

How long does it take to digest an avocado?

Since avocados have high-fat content, they may take more time to be digested. Though the exact time is unknown, it may take two to four hours.

Can I mix avocado and milk?

Yes, avocado with milk is a good combination. You can blend them and drink the mixture to cool down the body.

Does avocado increase acidity?

There is no scientific evidence to prove that avocados increase acidity. However, there is a chance of getting acid reflux issues if you consume more avocados as they contain high fat.

Key Takeaways

  • Women who are expecting or breastfeeding should avoid avocados.
  • People following a diet should consume avocados moderately as it is a high-calorie food.
  • Overeating may lead to gastric and intestinal issues as well as liver damage.
  • People with hypersensitivity may feel nauseous or get skin reactions after consuming avocados.


Do you consume avocados frequently? Overindulgence may lead to a few health concerns. Watch the following video to learn more about any potential side effects of avocados.

Personal Experience: Source

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Avocados raw all commercial varieties
    https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171705/nutrients
  2. Hass avocado composition and potential health effects
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23638933/
  3. Avocado hypersensitivity
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8074265/
  4. Prevalence of avocado allergy among atopic patients
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8566736/
  5. EVIDENCE ON THE CARCINOGENICITY OF ESTRAGOLE
    https://oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/crnr/estragf.pdf
  6. Chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study of trans-anethole in rats
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2703189/#:~:text=The%20changes%20observed%20in%20this
  7. The latex-fruit syndrome
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12440950/
  8. Lowering of Serum Cholesterol by the Administration of a Plant Sterol
    https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1161/01.CIR.10.2.201
  9. Avocado Consumption Alters Gastrointestinal Bacteria Abundance and Microbial Metabolite Concentrations among Adults with Overweight or Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32805028/
  10. The latex-fruit syndrome
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12440950/#
  11. Hyperkalemia
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470284/
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