As Catholics, we believe that caring for our bodies is part of honoring the gift of life God has given us. The Church reminds us in the Catechism that “life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God” (CCC 2288). That includes how we eat, rest, and live each day in harmony with our vocation. So when new research points to a simple dietary change that may help improve sleep—something so many people struggle with—it invites reflection, especially in a culture that often prizes productivity over rest.
A recent study from Penn State University, funded by The Avocado Nutrition Center and published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that eating just one avocado a day for six months led to “modest but statistically significant improvements” in participants’ sleep health scores—even though it didn’t significantly raise overall cardiovascular scores.
The findings surprised even the researchers. “Participants who ate daily avocados showed a 3.20-point improvement in their sleep health scores compared to the control group,” a number that, according to the paper, was on par with improvements seen in diet quality and blood lipids—two outcomes the scientists did expect.
So how could a fruit best known for heart health and healthy fats be tied to better sleep? The researchers suggest avocados’ unique nutritional profile may be key. As the study explains, avocados are “rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin K, copper, and pantothenic acid”—nutrients that may influence sleep “through various biological pathways,” though more research is needed.
Why does this matter to the Catholic faithful? Because good sleep isn’t just a health trend—it’s a foundation for prayer, presence, and peace. Poor sleep has been linked to higher risks of depression, diabetes, and heart disease. But it also affects our ability to love, serve, and focus. Sleep renews the body and mind—an echo of how God designed us to rest and be restored: “He gives to His beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2).
The American Heart Association now includes sleep among its “Life’s Essential 8” metrics for heart health, and for good reason: sleep influences blood pressure, inflammation, glucose levels, and more. As the study notes, “Sleep affects virtually every aspect of well-being,” and the idea that something as simple as eating an avocado could help improve it—without pills or drastic changes—offers a hopeful and accessible tool for many.
The study followed 969 Americans with abdominal obesity over a 26-week period. Half ate one large Hass avocado daily, while the other half continued their regular diets with little to no avocado. While the avocado group didn’t experience a boost in total cardiovascular scores, they did show significant improvements in sleep health, diet quality, and cholesterol markers.
What can we do with this? As Catholics striving for virtue in all aspects of life—including how we treat our bodies—adding an avocado to your daily meals could be a gentle and nourishing step toward better rest. Whether you blend it into a smoothie, spread it on toast, or add it to your dinner salad, it’s a small act of self-care with potential benefits. And 88–95% of participants stuck with the habit, proving it’s easy to maintain.
Of course, the researchers rightly caution: “Sleep quality is shaped by many factors, including stress, screen time, room temperature, and bedtime routines.” Avocados are no silver bullet. But paired with a life of prayer, regular rest, and peaceful evenings—free from late-night screens and filled with gratitude—they might help us rest better, live clearer, and serve God more faithfully.
Let us remember: the Lord calls us to health in body, mind, and soul. Even a humble piece of fruit may become part of that grace.
