A heart disease may occur when we repeatedly eat foods that are not healthy for the body such as those that contain too much bad cholesterol. Foods with too much sugar lead to diabetes, which in turns affects the functioning of the heart. The good news is that the risk of heart diseases can be reduced with a healthy diet. Here are some foods you can rely on to fight heart disease.
1. Blueberries are full of nutrients like vitamin C, beta-carotene, fiber, magnesium, potassium, ellagic acid just to mention a few. The key substance in blueberries is anthocyanins. Anthocyanin act on bloods vessels directly thus lowering the chances of coronary heart disease. You can add this fruit to your cereals or even your yogurt. They taste really good when appropriately ripe.
2. Cherries too are full of anthocyanins, the substance that helps protect blood vessels by reducing their inflammation. So you have a choice between these two fruits. A study carried out at the University of Michigan recommends people to eat red fruits more frequently after it found that the regular consumption of cherries helped lower body fats and the total weight of participants. More importantly, it helped lower bad cholesterol levels in the body. Cherries come in a number of varieties but they all have an amazing taste. Just be careful not to stain your cloths.
3. Carrots are vitamin A rich vegetable which help you maintain good vision as well as help control blood sugar level. That in turn helps prevent diabetes. Take note that diabetes itself can entail or lead to another condition referred to as Diabetic Heart Disease (DHD). You can also count on carrots to lower your cholesterol level with the ample amount of soluble fiber you get out of it. Carrots can easily go into your soup, salad or even your cake and can be consumed int he form of juice.
4. Orange contains pectin. It is a fiber that helps fight cholesterol. The potassium that orange is offering will enable you to deal with blood pressure. One average size orange fruit a day can be enough to keep your blood pressure at normal levels. You can also choose to have a freshly squeezed orange juice on a daily basis.
5. Sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than traditional potatoes. In other words, they won’t make your blood sugar levels spike. They re also rich in vitamin A which helps lower blood sugar levels. This vegetable is not just good for the heart. It contains a lot of fiber that help relieve constipation. Folate is also present in potatoes. Folate plays a role in the development of the foetus during pregnancy. They are many ways to cook sweet potatoes – frying, roasting and boiling – but you may have to cook them for a bit longer than yams though.
Use these foods regularly to reduce the risk of developing heart diseases. Doing 30 minutes of cardio exercise a day even though it’s just a brief walk, will help your heart stay strong and healthy.