Did you know that when it comes to your health what you eat goes hand in hand with staying active? Not only does a healthy and balanced diet fuel your body for conquering your day as well as workouts, it maintains the optimal functioning of your organs making you feel your best from the inside out. That is why heart health is so important. Your heart is what pumps the nutrients in your blood so that they can reach other parts of your body as it simultaneously removes toxins and waste.
There are so many foods that you can eat to boost your heart health, here are 5.
- Oats and whole-grains
Whole-grain oats and oat bran have long been known to reduce high cholesterol levels as well as the risk of cardiovascular disease. Oats has also been found to have anti-inflammatory effects which could help prevent a chain reaction of health problems in the long run.
2. Good fats
Not all fats are equal. While saturated fats found in fried foods are known to increase bad cholesterol, fatty foods like avocado can actually protect you against heart attacks and lower your blood pressure. Likewise, omega-3 fatty acids found in certain fish like sardine and salmon are said to help prevent clogged arteries.
3.Berries (and citrus fruits)
Not only are berries jam packed with vitamins and fiber, they are also rich in antioxidants which prevent damage associated with cancer development. These antioxidants also keep your cholesterol at bay, preventing and reducing the amount of plaque that can build on your arteries. Could this be why they’re so delicious?
4. Leafy greens
As the heart has an important function of pumping blood through your body, having moderate blood pressure maintains the health of your arteries. Leafy greens can help the body lower blood pressure which is what you need so that you do not wear or weaken your hardworking arteries.
5. Dark chocolate
Plain dark chocolate (that means not milk chocolate or white chocolate, and as little sugar as possible) is a delicious way to get more of those disease-kicking antioxidants into your body. They are also known to increase insulin sensitivity, which is how your body regulates your blood sugar levels. This is key because along with the risk of diabetes, high blood sugar can cause the damage of your blood vessels, artery walls, and the nerves that send signals to your heart.
Keep in mind that these are only a few suggestions out of hundreds of foods available to optimize your health. While these foods all have heart boosting properties, it is best to consult with your doctor to ensure that you do not consume food that you may be react to because inflammation is known to lead to other health related problems later on. Always be careful with the foods you are consuming and, with a professional, seek to understand how they each relate to your body specifically.
Images Shot by@72_photography
Model Liz (https://www.instagram.com/elizadumsfit/ )
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