Jan 2, 2023

BY: Kritika Pushkarna

18 foods that can help reduce the risk of heart diseases

Heart-healthy foods

Globally, heart disease is one of the leading causes of death. In order to maintain heart health, here are some of the most important foods that should be included in the daily diet. Take a look.

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Avocado

This delicious fruit is rich in potassium and monounsaturated fats, which can improve heart health while reducing cholesterol levels and lowering the risk of heart diseases.

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Walnuts

This nut is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, Vitamin E, and folate, which promote healthy hearts. It’s also high in polyunsaturated fats. Eat them unsalted for your best heart-healthy meal.

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Dark Chocolate

Chocolate that contains at least 70 per cent cocoa is known to lower blood pressure as it is rich in flavonols which relax arteries and increase blood flow. Just make sure, it doesn’t have saturated fats from additives such as palm oil.

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Beetroot

This root vegetable is known to be rich in nitrates that are converted into nitric acid on consumption. It can help manage your blood pressure, which is one of the root causes of heart disease.

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Tomato

This common fruit cum vegetable is loaded with lycopene, which can help increase the good or HDL cholesterol while lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke.

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Broccoli

This green vegetable is low in cholesterol, high in fibre, and contains a wealth of antioxidants. Thus, how can this vegetable be on the list of heart-healthy food? Also, it can help protect your joints too!

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Orange

It’s a delicious fruit that’s rich in pectin and packed with a flavanoid that lowers blood pressure and reduces artery inflammation. Not just that, but it contains hesperidin, a plant chemical that improves blood flow to the heart.

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Asparagus

It’s a natural source of folate, which helps prevent an amino acid called homocysteine from building up in the body. High levels of this amino acid can increase the risk of heart-related conditions, such as coronary artery disease and stroke.

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Turmeric

This common spice contains a chemical called curcumin, which is rich in antioxidant properties. Apart from regulating blood pressure, curcumin can also improve the function of the lining of your blood vessels.

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Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Also known as EVOO, it's known to be rich in ‘good fats’ and antioxidants that can help unclog your arteries.

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Blueberries

Blueberries are packed with resveratrol and flavonoids, both powerful antioxidants; blueberries can help prevent coronary disease. Also, the anthocyanins found in berries can help preserve blood vessels.

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Spinach

This dark leafy green vegetable is super rich in nitrates, a substance that helps to open blood vessels so oxygen-rich blood can reach your heart. Thus, it is considered a great vegetable for heart health.

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Chia Seeds

These tiny seeds are loaded with fibre and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help in reducing bad cholesterol and plaque buildup in the arteries.

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Green Tea

Chinese have used green tea for ages for its medicinal properties, as it can help lower hypertension. Green Tea is loaded with catechin and flavonoids, which are super healthy for the heart as they help reduce blood clots.

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Soy Milk

Soy milk is said to be rich in isoflavones, which help reduce cholesterol in the body. It also contains niacin, which helps boost circulation in the entire body.

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Yam/Sweet Potato

This vegetable is an excellent source of vitamin C, calcium, and iron, which help reduce high blood pressure. One can also consume the skin of this vegetable as it is loaded with heart-healthy nutrients.

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Grapefruit

The high levels of vitamin C can help protect against stroke while reducing bad (LDL) cholesterol.

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Avocado Oil

It’s a cold-pressed oil that has been touted as a heart-healthy oil because of its ability to modify fatty acids in tissues around the heart.

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Thanks For Reading!

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