Studies funded by the Avocado Board suggest avocados may facilitate weight loss and lower the risk of metabolic syndrome, but compared to what? Since the study was funded by the Avocado Board, it’s especially important to dig into how the researchers designed the trial. What are the effects of avocado on metabolic syndrome, a clustering of risk factors—high blood sugars, high blood triglycerides, high blood pressure, and obesity—that sets you up for diabetes and heart disease. The researchers claim that “avocado consumption is associated with better diet quality and nutrient intake, and lower metabolic syndrome risk,” and that avocado eaters only had half the odds of metabolic syndrome. But is that because of the avocados, or are avocado eaters just healthier eaters in general? The data came from a snapshot-in-time cross-sectional survey of about 17,500 people, who were asked if they had eaten any avocado in the last 24 hours on two …