In case you haven't noticed, there's now a new "American Sweetheart," and it's not a celebrity. It is actually a fruit. Avocados are one of the newest food trends, they're smooth, delicious, and we can't put it down. We put it on toast, add it to salads, and of course, we mash it into a delicious guacamole that we love.

If you're looking for an excuse to eat more avocados in your life, look no further, because avocados are a 100% guilt-free snack. That's because avocado is one of several so-called "superfoods," meaning its health benefits are enormous. So grab a bowl of guacamole, enjoy, and learn more about the magic of avocados.

Unlike most fruits and vegetables, avocados aren't considered carbohydrates—in fact, they're mostly made up of fat. We all know fat has a bad reputation, but the right fat is actually very important to your health. Avocados are high in monounsaturated fats, which help your body absorb nutrients from anything you eat. So, when you pair them with vitamin-rich foods, like other fruits or vegetables, avocados can help you get the most nutrients out of your diet. Plus, studies show that monounsaturated fats can lower cholesterol, lower your risk of heart disease, and lower blood pressure—making avocados a whole package.

While avocado can't turn back time, it can help slow down the aging of your skin. Avocados contain high amounts of antioxidants such as vitamins E and C. These help your body fight free radicals, these unpredictable particles that cause wrinkles, speed up the skin's aging process, and generally do a lot of damage to your skin cells. Antioxidants neutralize these free radicals, giving your skin a youthful glow. Sounds pretty good already, right? But the benefits don't stop there. Vitamin C magically helps your body produce more collagen, the protein that keeps your skin looking firm and smooth. You see, as we age, our skin starts to lose collagen, making it look loose and less elastic. So, we need to look for external sources to make it look great. That's why avocados are a great way to restore lost years.

You don't even need to eat them to get these benefits. Look for skin care products that already contain shea butter, or you can make one yourself.

Homemade Avocado Mask

Ingredients: Half an avocado; 1 teaspoon lemon juice

step 1. Core half of the avocado, scrape the remaining pulp from the peel, and place in a bowl. Mash the avocados with a fork until thick and creamy and not lumpy.

Step 2. Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Add lemon juice to the pureed avocado if you plan to keep some or all of the sauce for later. Lemon juice prevents avocados from oxidizing and turning brown.

Step 3. Mix the guacamole with any mask ingredients of your choice - including 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 cup orange juice or raw egg whites. While an avocado face pack made with only avocados is effective, these ingredients contain additional properties that can boost skin health, especially if your skin tends to be oily.

Looking to downsize your pants? Well, then the avocado is your new best friend (if it's not already). This palm-sized fruit, with up to 7 grams of fiber in half, helps regulate your digestive system, keeping you fuller for longer. Remember when we talked about the benefits of healthy fats earlier? Monounsaturated fats are a proven belly shrinker, which is why many of us recommend using avocado oil instead of regular cooking oils. Avocados also contain the daily recommended amount of vitamin K. This vitamin helps eliminate sugar cravings that we all know can lead to overeating some unhealthy foods. So go ahead, add an extra slice to your salad and your waist will thank you.