Avocados are a gold mine of nutrients that boost your brain health—not to mention help you maintain a healthy body. They contain a monounsaturated fat known as oleic acid, which has been shown to help lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease and arteriosclerosis. For your brain, that means a slimmer chance of stroke. Avocados are also rich in magnesium and potassium, which help to regulate blood pressure and prevent circulatory diseases such as stroke and heart disease. One cup of avocado contains 23 percent of the daily value for folate, which when combined with the monounsaturated fats plus potassium decreases your chances of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Ounce for ounce, avocados provide more magnesium than the twenty most commonly eaten fruits. They contain no starch and very little sugar, yet they provide an excellent source of usable food energy. However, one whole California avocado has about 300 calories and 35 grams of fat, 8.5 grams being monounsaturated fat. Eat small amounts of avocado for the optimum benefit.