H eart diseases are no longer a dormant topic among the masses because nowadays everyone knows someone who was either diagnosed with heart disease or succumbed to it eventually.
The problem with these conditions is that they’re mostly silent until something irreversible happens and the damage is already done. So, we have compiled a list of the seven best foods for a healthy heart to make things easier for you.
So, it is always important to take care of what foods you put in your body and pay extra attention to keeping your heart healthy. Food plays a vital role in heart health and the level of certain elements in your body like triglycerides, lipids, and healthy fats (high-density lipids). It also affects your cholesterol levels which may or may not protect you from the harmful effects of heart disease.
1. Avocadoes
This fruit has suddenly become a worldwide phenomenon after influencers and food bloggers have started using it as a staple in salads, sandwiches, and other dietary foods. But the benefits of avocados are not something that has been recently discovered.
They have been proven to lower cholesterol and unhealthy lipids from your body and also provide flavor to whatever you decide to put them in. They are also rich in potassium which is essential for heart health, also found in bananas. So, ditch your fried food today and add some avocadoes to your daily food instead!
2. Dark Chocolate
You may be surprised in finding chocolate in this article and wondering why it is here but the truth is that dark chocolate is well known for its antioxidant effects on the body. Consuming dark chocolate in small amounts have shown to reduce the risks of coronary heart disease and diabetes. However, it is important to not go overboard while enjoying it because it is high in calories and may end up doing more harm than good if taken too much!
3. Berries
Who doesn’t love a juicy berry in their salad? But did you know that in addition to being delicious, it is also rich in antioxidants and anthocyanins which decrease the risk of damage by free radicals in your body?
There are also so many varieties to choose from, like raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, etc, making it a fun process too!
4. Green Tea
Green tea has antioxidants that may help you stay younger leading to a healthy heart, joints, and glowy skin. It also reduces bad cholesterol (LDL) and increases leptin, which causes high sensitivity to insulin and weight loss.
It contains catechins and polyphenols which cell damage and inflammation, making your heart and in hindsight, you, happy!
5. Almonds
Almonds are a nutrient-dense staple, containing a large list of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to your heart health. They also have monounsaturated fats and fiber, the important nutrients that help protect against all heart diseases. Research shows that consuming almonds is associated with increased levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, which reduces plaque buildup and clears your arteries, making sure your chances of getting hypertension are slim.
6. Seeds
Chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds are all good sources of healthy nutrients, including fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Studies found that adding all types of seeds to your diet can decrease the risk of getting heart diseases and reduce inflammation, blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol.
Hemp seeds seem to be high in arginine, an amino acid that has been found to reduce levels of certain inflammatory markers.
7. Garlic
For centuries, garlic has always been used as a natural remedy to treat a variety of diseases.
Recently, research has confirmed its powerful medicinal properties and confirmed that garlic helps improve heart health. It actually has a compound called allicin which is responsible for these positive effects. It also reduces cholesterol and bad fats (LDL) in your body. So crush a little garlic and toss it in your pan while cooking to maintain your health!
With new research, the link between diet and heart health keeps strengthening, but it is also important to keep up with your blood tests and visit your doctor regularly to make sure that you are not at risk of developing heart diseases as they are not only deadly but silent as well.
Small steps in changing your diet can lead to big results like a boosted energy level, a healthy heart, and a body that will eventually thank you for making these changes in your lifestyle. So, start by adding these seven best foods for a healthy heart to your daily diet to make sure you keep your heart in a good health, allowing you to live your life to the fullest!
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This post is tagged in:
- Heart healthy foods
- food for heart health
- healthy heart food
