6 Heart-Healthy Foods You Should Be Eating

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Anything that is good for you must not taste good, right?

Wrong.

There are foods you will eat and are good for you and your heart.

Eating Heart-Healthy Foods_opt

Blueberries

Blueberries for the heart

These top the list of fruits and veggies for antioxidants – natural ingredients that neutralize certain destructive substances that contribute to heart disease.  Blueberries also prevent blood clots and reduce artery inflammation.  Close runner-up – strawberries.

Red Wine

Red Wine For the Heart

Grape skins contain the antioxidant resveratrol, which helps prevent blood clots and stiffening of heart tissue.  In addition, red wine raises HDL (good) cholesterol.

Nuts

Nut for the Heart

Almonds, walnuts, macadamias, and hazelnuts are high in monounsaturated fat, which lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol without reducing HDL.  They are also a rich source of Vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant, and of the amino acid arginine, which helps keep artery walls healthy.  Walnuts, in addition, protect against clotting and arrythmia.  But keep nuts to an ounce a day.  They are also high in calories.

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Avocados

Avocados-for-the-heart

True, they are high in fat, but it is the healthy, monounsaturated kind.  Chemicals in avocados also inhibit cholesterol absorption and protect against hypertension.

Chocolate

Chocolate For The Heart

The dark, European kind is rich in nutrients called flavonols, which lower both blood pressure and cholesterol.

Olive Oil

Olive Oil For The Heart

As a monounsaturated fat, it’s good for your cholesterol numbers.  In addition, dressing your salad with a little olive oil or using it to saute leafy greens will help you absorb the nutrients in those veggies.

Related: 8 Signs You Could Be Having a Heart Attack