When you consume trans-fats, saturated fats, and sodium, it results in weight gain and heart disease. That is the reason why the American Heart Association suggests avoiding such foods, and to include more fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat milk products, and lean meat. Functional foods have become popular as they help in reducing the risks associated with heart ailments when used together with a healthy meal.
You need to eat food items that offer health benefits beyond vitamins, minerals, and calories. Here are some of the best foods that you need to eat for keeping your heart healthy:
Seeds and nuts
Did you know that plant fiber and stanols are the key nutrients in seeds and nuts to help you fight cardiovascular diseases? Plant stanols have the potential to block the human body’s use of cholesterol and reduce bad cholesterol (LDL). That is why seeds and nuts are your best on-the-go food as well as a salad topper to keep your heart healthy.
Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts are a few nuts that help to keep your heart healthy.
Cranberries
When you include cranberries in your diet, you not only get loads of minerals and vitamins from them, but also flavonoids, a functional food element that comes with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Flavonoids are essential to protect your cardiovascular disease.
Red wine
Did you know that red wine is rich in phenols that are beneficial in reducing the threats associated with heart ailments? Then, that does not mean that you will take too many glasses of red wine daily. Darius Jasinski takes red wine in moderation to alleviate the risks of heart disease.
Medical professionals recommend not more than 1-2 drinks for males and females respectively. If you take more than that amount, you are inviting heart disease. If you take wine in moderation, your body gains the heart-healthy element, phenols.
Extra virgin olive oil
This oil comes with a healthy, monounsaturated fat known as oleic acid that has proven to stop bad cholesterol or LDL oxidation. Bad cholesterol is the direct cause of cardiovascular ailments. While tossing up delicious meals in your kitchen, you may add extra virgin olive oil to vegetables and cook a healthy dish to protect your heart.
Soy
Americans prefer a vegetable protein called soy for dealing with heart health issues, as this food is said to prevent cardiovascular ailments. When you saunter into a grocery store next time, buy some soy yogurt or soymilk.
Whole grains
As far as whole grains are concerned, they include the nutrient-rich elements of the gram such as endosperm, bran, and germ. The common whole grains are brown rice, wheat, barley, oats, quinoa, and buckwheat. Whole grains are packed with fiber to red LDL or bad cholesterol, thus reducing the risks of a heart ailment.
Conclusion
Functional foods taken alone will not completely prevent heart disease but these items are best for making healthy diet choices. Include these foods to reduce the risks of heart disease as well as obesity. Choose healthy food for a healthy heart.
