Avocado: what it contains and why it matters
Avocado is a creamy green fruit. This page lists its nutritional content from published sources and explains which lab parameters it relates to.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-04
Nutritional content of avocado
Per 100 g edible portion, from published composition data.
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 160 kcal | USDA |
| Protein | 2 g | USDA |
| Total lipid (fat) | 14.66 g | USDA |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 8.53 g | USDA |
| Fiber, total dietary | 6.7 g | USDA |
| Potassium | 485 mg | USDA |
| Folate, total | 81 µg | USDA |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.07 mg | USDA |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 21 µg | USDA |
Which lab parameters does avocado relate to?
Potassium
Potassium helps nerves and muscles work and helps balance the body's fluids [WHO].
Folate
Folate is needed to make and repair DNA and to form red blood cells [WHO].
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage [WHO].
Vegetarian and dietary notes
Avocado is a botanical fruit derived entirely from plant tissue, making it suitable for both vegetarian and vegan diets.
Frequently asked questions
What types of fatty acids are found in avocado?
Per 100 g, raw avocado contains 14.66 g of total fat, which includes approximately 9.8 g of monounsaturated fatty acids, 1.82 g of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and 2.13 g of saturated fatty acids [USDA]. Monounsaturated fatty acids serve as concentrated energy substrates and form structural constituents of biological membranes.
What is the dietary fiber content of avocado?
Avocado contains 6.7 g of total dietary fiber per 100 g [USDA]. Dietary fiber consists of nondigestible plant carbohydrates that contribute to fecal bulk and influence gastrointestinal transit rate.
How much potassium is present in avocado?
Raw avocado provides 485 mg of potassium per 100 g [USDA]. Potassium is an essential dietary mineral and systemic electrolyte involved in transmembrane electrochemical gradients and intracellular osmotic pressure maintenance.
What is the biological function of the folate provided by avocado?
Avocado provides 81 µg of total folate per 100 g [USDA]. Folate functions biochemically as a coenzyme in single-carbon transfer reactions necessary for nucleotide synthesis, amino acid metabolism, and DNA methylation.
What role does the vitamin E in avocado play in human metabolism?
Avocado contains 2.07 mg of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) per 100 g [USDA]. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient that acts biochemically to protect polyunsaturated fatty acids in membrane lipids from oxidative degradation.
Sources
- USDA — USDA FoodData Central, Agricultural Research Service. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/
- WHO — World Health Organization — nutrition fact sheets. https://www.who.int/