Do avocados lower cholesterol?

A little. The largest meta-analysis, 9 randomized trials with 2,314 participants, found avocado lowered LDL cholesterol by 3.75 mg/dL, about 0.10 mmol/L, and its authors rated that result high certainty. The drop looks bigger in people whose cholesterol is already high and in trials where avocado replaced other fats. Most of the weight in that analysis comes from one large trial where people simply added an avocado a day to what they already ate, which is why the effect is small. No trial measured heart attacks or strokes.

Established. Most meta-analyses of randomized trials find that avocado nudges LDL cholesterol down. They disagree on how far, from 3.75 mg/dL in the largest synthesis to 16.5 mg/dL in an early pooling of small trials, and one analysis found no change in LDL at all.

What the trials found

Adding an avocado barely moves it

The Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial gave 1,008 US adults with a large waist one avocado a day for six months on top of their usual diet. Total and LDL cholesterol fell modestly, and the reduction was only nominally significant. Cholesterol was an additional outcome in that trial, not its main question, and the abstract gives no number. Because it is so much larger than the rest, it dominates any synthesis that includes it.

The 2025 meta-analysis that includes it found the 3.75 mg/dL fall with no disagreement between studies. A 2025 dose-response meta-analysis found LDL down 6.16 mg/dL and total cholesterol down 6.97 mg/dL against controls. Its abstract does not say how many trials it pooled.

Replacing other fats moves it more

In a 5-week feeding trial, 45 adults with overweight ate three cholesterol-lowering diets in turn. With one Hass avocado a day, LDL fell 13.5 mg/dL from baseline. A moderate-fat diet without avocado lowered it by 8.3 mg/dL, and a low-fat diet by 7.4 mg/dL. That hints at an effect beyond the fat itself, but it rests on 45 people over five weeks.

An early meta-analysis of 10 small trials in 229 people, where avocado was mostly swapped in for other fats, found LDL down 16.5 mg/dL and total cholesterol down 18.8 mg/dL. Those figures are changes from each group's starting level rather than differences against a control, and the trials disagreed with each other a great deal.

It depends on where you start

A 2024 meta-analysis of 9 trials in 503 adults split people by their starting cholesterol. In those with high cholesterol, LDL fell 9.4 mg/dL and total cholesterol 7.54 mg/dL against control groups. In people with normal cholesterol there was no difference. The authors rated the certainty low to very low. A 2025 umbrella review of 8 overlapping reviews put the LDL fall in people with abnormal blood lipids at 9.4 to 17 mg/dL.

Unsettled. A 2018 meta-analysis of 18 studies with 481 people, 7 of them pooled for avocado against no avocado, found no change in total cholesterol, LDL or triglycerides, and a rise in HDL of 2.84 mg/dL with large differences between studies. It used much of the same early evidence as the 2016 analysis and reached the opposite answer. What avocado was compared with explains most of the gap, and that is why the size of the effect is still open.

Who should be careful

Not for everyone. If you are allergic to latex, avocado is one of the fruits most often involved in latex-fruit syndrome, alongside banana, kiwifruit and papaya, and 73 percent of the reactions reported in that review were systemic. The review does not give the share for avocado alone.

Avocado is rich in potassium. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements warns that in people with chronic kidney disease, or taking ACE inhibitors or potassium-sparing diuretics, even dietary potassium below the adequate intake can cause high blood potassium. That warning is about potassium in general, not avocado specifically. If either applies to you, an avocado a day for cholesterol is worth raising with the person treating you.

What expert bodies say

We found no US or WHO position specific to avocado and cholesterol, and no US authorized health claim names avocado. The EU authorizes a claim that replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats contributes to normal blood cholesterol, and that oleic acid is an unsaturated fat. No authorized EU claim names avocado itself. An umbrella review of 37 guidelines and 108 systematic reviews graded the evidence that avocados cause moderate to large reductions in LDL as moderate, with moderate meaning 7.7 to 15 mg/dL (0.20 to 0.40 mmol/L). That grading predates the large six-month trial, and later syntheses find a smaller effect.

How we searched

What would change this answer

• A large trial where avocado replaces saturated fat or refined carbohydrate, rather than being added on top. The trials that swapped fats are small and short, and the large trial only added.
• A trial in people with high cholesterol, the group where the effect seems to live. The subgroup evidence is rated low to very low certainty.
• Any trial measuring heart attacks or strokes. Every result on this page is a blood marker.
• We found no registered trial of avocado and cholesterol under way.

More on the fruit itself, from fat and potassium to how it compares with other foods, is on the avocado page.

Sources

1. ev-avchol-01 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with GRADE · n = 2314
   Nine studies with 2314 participants were analyzed overall. The results showed that those who took avocado supplements had lower LDL levels than the control group (WMD: −3.75 mg/dL, 95% CI: −4.70 to −2.80; p < 0.001) (Figure 2c), with between‐study heterogeneity (I 2 = 0%, p = 0.669).
   
   Who: Adults in 9 randomized controlled trials, mostly without cardiovascular disease
   Effect: LDL WMD -3.75 mg/dL (95% CI -4.70 to -2.80), I2 = 0%; GRADE high for LDL
   Certainty: The largest synthesis by N; the weight comes from HAT (1008 people, avocado on top of the usual diet), so the effect is small. -3.75 mg/dL = -0.10 mmol/L.
   Food Science & Nutrition, 2025 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the fulltext
2. ev-avchol-02 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with GRADE · n = 503
   Subgroup analysis demonstrated significant reductions in LDL-C (-9.4 mg/dL [to convert to mmol/L, divide by 38.67]; 95% CI -10.84 to -7.95 mg/dL; P < .00001) and TC (-7.54 mg/dL; 95% CI -9.40 to -5.68 mg/dL; P < .00001) in avocado vs control groups in hypercholesterolemic populations, and no differences were seen in normocholesterolemic populations.
   
   Who: Adults who were healthy, had cardiovascular disease or were at increased risk; 9 RCTs of 3 weeks or longer
   Effect: TC -5.08 mg/dL (95% CI -9.29 to -0.87); LDL no overall difference; hypercholesterolemic subgroup LDL -9.4 mg/dL (95% CI -10.84 to -7.95); GRADE low to very low
   Certainty: Key card for axis 8: the effect on LDL is present only with elevated cholesterol, not in people with normal levels. Confidence is low.
   Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2024 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
3. ev-avchol-03 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies · n = 481
   Conclusions: Avocado intake resulted in no difference in serum TC, LDL-cholesterol, and TG concentrations, but it did increase serum HDL-cholesterol concentrations, with significant heterogeneity.
   
   Who: 481 subjects in 18 eligible studies; 7 pooled for avocado versus no avocado
   Effect: HDL +2.84 mg/dL (95% CI 0.18 to 5.49), significant heterogeneity; no significant difference in TC, LDL, TG
   Certainty: The opposite conclusion to 26892133 on the same early studies: the difference is in what they were compared with. No study had clinical events.
   Am J Clin Nutr, 2018 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
4. ev-avchol-04 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials · n = 229
   Avocado consumption significantly reduced TC, LDL-C, and TG by -18.80 mg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI], -24.56 to -13.05; I(2), 46.9%), -16.50 mg/dL (95% CI, -22.91 to -10.10; I(2), 72.5%), -27.20 mg/dL (95% CI, -44.41 to -9.99; I(2), 91.1%) respectively.
   
   Who: 229 participants in 10 randomized clinical trials
   Effect: TC -18.80 mg/dL (95% CI -24.56 to -13.05); LDL -16.50 mg/dL (95% CI -22.91 to -10.10), I2 72.5%; TG -27.20 mg/dL
   Certainty: Small early studies, change from baseline (not between groups), high heterogeneity. Authors: replace fats with avocado, do not add it.
   J Clin Lipidol, 2016 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
5. ev-avchol-05 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials · n = —
   Results showed a significant reduction in total cholesterol (TC) (weighted mean difference (WMD): -6.97 mg/dL, 95% CI: -8.29, -5.65) and low-density lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) ((WMD): -6.16 mg/dL, 95% CI: -9.87, -2.44) in avocado groups vs. controls.
   
   Who: Adults in randomized controlled trials up to May 2024
   Effect: TC WMD -6.97 mg/dL (95% CI -8.29 to -5.65); LDL WMD -6.16 mg/dL (95% CI -9.87 to -2.44); no significant effect on HDL
   Certainty: The number of RCTs is not named in the abstract. The nonlinear dose-response (>250 g/day) is a between-study estimate, not tested directly.
   Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2026 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
6. ev-avchol-06 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses · n = 8 reviews
   In individuals with dyslipidemia, avocado intake was associated with reductions in LDL-c (-9.4 to -17 mg/dL) and TC.
   
   Who: 8 systematic reviews and meta-analyses of avocado and lipid profiles
   Effect: LDL -9.4 to -17 mg/dL in dyslipidemia; HDL and TG inconsistent at 30-500 g/day
   Certainty: Review of reviews overlapping on the same RCTs; a range, not a new estimate.
   Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 2025 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
7. ev-avchol-07 · Meta-analysis or systematic review · umbrella review of guidelines and systematic reviews with GRADE · n = 108 reviews
   With moderate evidence, avocados and turmeric caused moderate to large reductions.
   
   Who: 37 guidelines, 108 systematic reviews and 20 RCTs on foods and LDL cholesterol
   Effect: avocados: moderate to large LDL reduction (moderate certainty, GRADE); moderate defined as 7.7-15 mg/dL (0.20-0.40 mmol/L)
   Certainty: A 2019 estimate, before HAT and the new MAs; later syntheses give a smaller effect.
   Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis, 2021 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
8. ev-avchol-08 · Randomized controlled trial(s) · randomized crossover controlled feeding trial · n = 45
   Compared with baseline, the reduction in LDL-C and non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol on the AV diet (-13.5 mg/dL, -14.6 mg/dL) was greater (P<0.05) than the MF (-8.3 mg/dL, -8.7 mg/dL) and LF (-7.4 mg/dL, -4.8 mg/dL) diets.
   
   Who: 45 overweight or obese adults with baseline LDL in the 25th to 90th percentile
   Effect: LDL -13.5 mg/dL (avocado diet) vs -8.3 (moderate-fat) vs -7.4 (low-fat) from baseline; LDL particle number -80.1 nmol/L on avocado only
   Certainty: Controlled feeding, 136 g avocado per day replacing part of the fat; shows an effect beyond fatty acid composition, but N is small and the duration is 5 weeks.
   J Am Heart Assoc, 2015 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
9. ev-avchol-09 · Randomized controlled trial(s) · multicentre randomized controlled parallel-arm trial · n = 1008
   Of the additional outcome measures, modest but nominally significant reductions in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed in the Avocado Supplemented compared with the Habitual Diet Group.
   
   Who: 1008 free-living adults with elevated waist circumference, multicentre US trial
   Effect: modest, nominally significant reductions in total and LDL cholesterol (additional outcomes); no change in visceral fat (primary outcome)
   Certainty: Cholesterol is an additional endpoint, without adjustment for multiplicity; no number in the abstract. Avocado was added, not used to replace other fats.
   J Am Heart Assoc, 2022 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
10. ev-avchol-10 · Observational data · systematic literature review of observational studies and case reports, PRISMA · n = —
    Our findings indicate that the most prevalent allergenic fruits in patients with LFS are banana, avocado, kiwifruit, and papaya.
    
    Who: Latex-allergic patients in original studies; prevalence of latex-fruit syndrome 4-88%
    Effect: most prevalent fruits: banana, avocado, kiwifruit, papaya; 73% of reported symptoms systemic
    Certainty: Concerns people with latex allergy; the share of avocado specifically is not given in the abstract. For the page: who should be careful.
    Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2024 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the abstract
11. ev-avchol-11 · Position of an expert body · fact sheet · n = —
    However, in people with impaired urinary potassium excretion due to chronic kidney disease or the use of certain medications, such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or potassium-sparing diuretics, even dietary potassium intakes below the AI can cause hyperkalemia [11].
    
    Who: People with impaired urinary potassium excretion, NIH potassium fact sheet
    Effect: hyperkalemia possible even at dietary potassium intakes below the AI
    Certainty: Not about avocado separately: avocado is one of the potassium-rich foods, so this is a caution for those who eat it daily for cholesterol and have kidney disease or such medications.
    NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Potassium Fact Sheet for Health Professionals · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the section
12. ev-avchol-12 · Position of an expert body · regulation · n = —
    POL-HC-6430 Oleic acid Replacing saturated fats in the diet with unsaturated fats contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels. Oleic acid is an unsaturated fat. Authorised
    
    Who: EU Register on nutrition and health claims
    Effect: authorized claim for oleic acid replacing saturated fat
    Certainty: A claim about replacing saturated fats, not about adding avocado; conditions of use are in Regulation (EU) 432/2012, not quoted here. The only avocado entry in the register is rejected and not about cholesterol.
    EU Register on nutrition and health claims, claim POL-HC-6430, snapshot 2026-09-21 · checked 2026-10-06 · we read the section