12, Jan 2022
Health is one of the most vital organs of our body. Cardiovascular diseases are on the rise and most of them can be attributed to sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits of people. We are supposed to take good care of the heart and body; instead we keep spoiling and weakening it. From physical activities to food habits, everything has an effect on our heart. Changing our diets to increase consumption of heart healthy food can help us move towards a healthy lifestyle. In this article, we will see the top 10 foods that are good for the heart:
The food we eat, and the heart we have have a wonderful connection or more like a bridge in between. Let us see some of the foods that must be added to our routine, to keep the heart healthy:
Green vegetables are more likely to stop every disease entering your body. Yes, even adults hesitate to eat some green vegetables and leaves! But do you know how enriching they are? Green vegetables like kale and spinach are meant to protect the heart arteries from clotting and enhance normal flowing of blood. The vegetables are high in fiber and nutrients that our body needs to support all the functions.
Do you know that avocados are monounsaturated fruit? Eating the fruit helps the heart by reducing the cholesterol levels and minimizing the risks of heart attacks. Avocados help in reducing the bad LDL levels in your body.
Salmon, tuna, and other fishes are a great support system for your heart. According to medical research, eating fish three times a week results in lower risks of heart diseases like heart attacks.
Walnuts are rich in fiber and micronutrients. It also results in minimizing oxidative stress and inflammation.
Whole grains are highly rich in fiber content. It is meant to reduce bad LDL levels and minimize heart risks. Whole grains are a good portion of the diet as per doctors.
Berries like strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries play a significant role in diet. One of the important antioxidants is anthocyanins that prevent inflammation and minimizes heart risks. A berry bowl is a low-calorie favorite meal of the diet.
Eating tomatoes everyday ensures that you get a variety of nutrients in your body. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene which has antioxidant properties. Lycopene helps lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol. Tomatoes are also packed with other nutrients like beta-carotene, potassium, vitamin C, flavonoids, and vitamin E that help keep our heart and body healthy.
Chocolates are everyone's favorite. Who doesn't like one? But do you know that chocolates are healthy too? Yes! Antioxidants like flavonoids are high in dark chocolates. According to a medical study, intake of dark chocolates can result in lower levels of heart problems.
Beans are rich in starch content. Pinto beans are more likely to reduce the bad LDL levels in your body. Starch can reduce triglycerides and bad LDL cholesterol levels. Adding beans to your diet gives you good source of fiber, carbs and protein without the saturated fat that comes from animal protein.
Seeds like chia and flax seeds not only help the whole body by making the person active but also believed to make your heart healthy. The fiber content in these seeds becomes shield-like to your heart. Flax seeds help reduce blood pressure and increase your levels of heart healthy fat.
If you need guidance with maintaining a good heart healthy diet or if you are looking for an internal medicine doctor Melbourne, Florida, Dr. Sue Mitra is here for you.
Dr. Sue Mitra and her staff strive to offer their patients the best care, advice and services available in the medical field with the goal to keep patient healthy & happy.
Dr. Sue Mitra is board certified in international medicine. She is seen here with a Cologuard, which is a noninvasive colon cancer screening test. (Photo by: Tim Shortt/Florida Today)