Whether you’re trying to boost fertility or deal with painful PMS, avocado oil may be the perfect food to include in your diet. And since we’re already using avocados in everything from toast to smoothies to salads, it only makes sense to make the jump from avocados to avocado oil. Here’s why.

There are many plant-based oils available for vegans, vegetarians, omnivores and foodies alike. You can choose from canola, soy, safflower, sunflower, olive, coconut and yes, avocado oil. But what makes avocado oil so special when it comes to fertility and PMS?

Avocado oil is a monounsaturated fat and rich in omega-3 fatty acids

Oils like canola, safflower and sunflower are high in omega-6 fatty acids, and low in omega-3 fatty acids. The problem with this ratio is that too many omega-6 fatty acids can increase inflammation throughout the body.

And inflammation can lead to reproductive issues, including ovarian cysts, endometriosis, PCOS, PMS and more.

But when it comes to avocados, they’re rich in monounsaturated and healthy fats that can help to reduce inflammation, and even increase a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant.

Avocado oil is high key nutrients, like folic acid

Research published in the journal, Nutrients, found that “avocados contain several recommended nutrients for reproductive health such as folate [folic acid], potassium, carotenoids, and other key compounds…”

Folate, or folic acid is an important vitamin to boost fertility in women.

This may help to explain why the women with the highest levels of monounsaturated fat were 3.4 times more likely to have a child after IVF in a study from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Avocado oil helps to balance hormone levels

Finally, Alisa Vitti, founder of Flo Living, cites avocado oil as having anti-estrogenic properties, which can help prevent a build-up of estrogen in the female body. This in turn, can help to prevent painful PMS symptoms, as well as reduce ovarian cysts and other estrogen-related reproductive health problems.