Story by Jay
It is said that heart disease accounts for nearly one-third of all deaths worldwide. Diet plays a major role in heart health and can impact your risk of heart disease.
In fact, certain foods can influence blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol level and inflammation, all of which are risk factors for heart disease. The best foods for the heart include items containing cholesterol- lowering antioxidants and high potassium levels that can only be found in fresh vegetables and fruits. For most people, preventing heart disease depends largely on their lifestyle. Therefore, people have the power to improve their odds of living long and well. Being overweight puts people at risk of heart disease and stroke. Eating foods in its natural form which is whole and unprocessed is good for the body.
Here are a list of some foods you should be eating to maximize your heart health
RED WINE:
If you drink alcohol, a little red wine may be a heart-healthy choice. Resveratrol and catechins, two antioxidants found in red wine, may protect artery walls. Alcohol can also boost HDL, the good cholesterol. Too much alcohol hurts the heart. Don’t have more than one drink a day. It’s best to talk to your doctor.
ALMONDS:
Slivered almonds go well with vegetables, fish, chicken and desserts. They have plant sterols, fiber and heart-healthy fats. Almonds may help lower ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol. Go ahead and grab a handful a day.
BERRIES:
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are packed with antioxidants called anthocyanins that help protect against oxidative stress and inflammation and keep away heart disease.
Dark CHOCOLATE:
Eating one piece of dark chocolate a day can improve health. Several studies show that including dark chocolate in your diet may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and reduce calcified plaque in the arteries.
Opt for a chocolate bar with at least 75 percent cocoa, which has the most flavonoids and special antioxidants.
SALMON:
A super food for heart health, it is rich in omega-3s which are healthy fats that may lessen the risk of heart rhythm disorders and lower blood pressure. They may also lower triglycerides and curb inflammation. Two servings of salmon or other oily fish is recommended to eat every week
SWEET POTATOES:
Swap the white potatoes for sweet potatoes. With a lower glycemic index than white potatoes, these spuds won’t cause a quick spike in blood sugar. They also have fiber, vitamin A and lycopene. Boost their natural sweetness with a dash of cinnamon and lime juice instead of sugary toppings.
OATMEAL:
A warm bowl of oatmeal fills you up for hours, fight snack attacks, and helps keeps blood sugar levels stable overtime, making it useful for people with diabetes, too. Oats fiber can help your heart by lowering bad cholesterol (LDL)
DARK LEAFY GREEN:
Your parents were into something when they told you to eat your vegetables. They are full of vitamins and minerals. They are also high in nitrates, a substance that helps to open the blood vessels so that oxygen-rich blood can reach your heart. You can find them in lettuce, spinach, Bok Choy.
To read more, please purchase a copy of Buzzz Caribbean Lifestyle Magazine Vol 11 #3 at any supermarket, pharmacy or book store near you.
Follow the Buzzz on Instagram and Facebook
Share this post:
Story by Jay
It is said that heart disease accounts for nearly one-third of all deaths worldwide. Diet plays a major role in heart health and can impact your risk of heart disease.
In fact, certain foods can influence blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol level and inflammation, all of which are risk factors for heart disease. The best foods for the heart include items containing cholesterol- lowering antioxidants and high potassium levels that can only be found in fresh vegetables and fruits. For most people, preventing heart disease depends largely on their lifestyle. Therefore, people have the power to improve their odds of living long and well. Being overweight puts people at risk of heart disease and stroke. Eating foods in its natural form which is whole and unprocessed is good for the body.
Here are a list of some foods you should be eating to maximize your heart health
RED WINE:
If you drink alcohol, a little red wine may be a heart-healthy choice. Resveratrol and catechins, two antioxidants found in red wine, may protect artery walls. Alcohol can also boost HDL, the good cholesterol. Too much alcohol hurts the heart. Don’t have more than one drink a day. It’s best to talk to your doctor.
ALMONDS:
Slivered almonds go well with vegetables, fish, chicken and desserts. They have plant sterols, fiber and heart-healthy fats. Almonds may help lower ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol. Go ahead and grab a handful a day.
BERRIES:
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are packed with antioxidants called anthocyanins that help protect against oxidative stress and inflammation and keep away heart disease.
Dark CHOCOLATE:
Eating one piece of dark chocolate a day can improve health. Several studies show that including dark chocolate in your diet may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and reduce calcified plaque in the arteries.
Opt for a chocolate bar with at least 75 percent cocoa, which has the most flavonoids and special antioxidants.
SALMON:
A super food for heart health, it is rich in omega-3s which are healthy fats that may lessen the risk of heart rhythm disorders and lower blood pressure. They may also lower triglycerides and curb inflammation. Two servings of salmon or other oily fish is recommended to eat every week
SWEET POTATOES:
Swap the white potatoes for sweet potatoes. With a lower glycemic index than white potatoes, these spuds won’t cause a quick spike in blood sugar. They also have fiber, vitamin A and lycopene. Boost their natural sweetness with a dash of cinnamon and lime juice instead of sugary toppings.
OATMEAL:
A warm bowl of oatmeal fills you up for hours, fight snack attacks, and helps keeps blood sugar levels stable overtime, making it useful for people with diabetes, too. Oats fiber can help your heart by lowering bad cholesterol (LDL)
DARK LEAFY GREEN:
Your parents were into something when they told you to eat your vegetables. They are full of vitamins and minerals. They are also high in nitrates, a substance that helps to open the blood vessels so that oxygen-rich blood can reach your heart. You can find them in lettuce, spinach, Bok Choy.
To read more, please purchase a copy of Buzzz Caribbean Lifestyle Magazine Vol 11 #3 at any supermarket, pharmacy or book store near you.
Follow the Buzzz on Instagram and Facebook
Share this post: