Heart disease is still a leading cause of death around the world. Thankfully, you can boost your heart health by paying attention to your daily habits, mood, and diet.
If you want to improve your overall wellbeing and decrease the risks of a heart attack in the future, here are some foods to consider including in your diet.
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Fatty Fish
Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardine, tuna, and herring are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins such as vitamin D and B2 which help to decrease the risk of several heart conditions. Also, fish has been shown to cut down the likelihood of having risk factors for heart disease such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the most widely-eaten meals around the world due to its nutritional value and rich taste. Due to its high-fiber content, oatmeal decreases the levels of bad cholesterol in the body and improves digestion. This cuts down the risk of heart disease to a significant level.
Dark Chocolate
Unlike most foods, dark chocolate tastes amazing but still provides your body with many health benefits when taken in moderation. These kinds of chocolates help to normalise blood pressure and reduce inflammation and blood clotting which are major culprits behind heart disease. The higher the percentage of cocoa in dark chocolate the better. Start with at least 60-70% cocoa.
Leafy Green Vegetables
It’s no secret that leafy green vegetables are one of the most nutritious foods for consumption. They are high in fiber, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants and help and are low in fat and calories. These properties make them effective at lowering the risk of heart disease.
Garlic
For thousands of years, garlic has been used around the world as food and medicine. One of the ways in which it benefits the body is by protecting the heart in several ways. Garlic dilates the vessels, lowers blood pressure, alleviates the constriction of blood vessels, and prevents the arteries from getting clogged.
Beans
Beans are great foods for the heart because they significantly lower the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad cholesterol.” They are also rich in fiber, protein and antioxidants polyphenols all of which benefit the heart in significant ways.
Sources:
Medical News Today
Health.clevelandclinic
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