6 Heart-Healthy Foods You Should Be Eating
I just want to let you know that all opinions are my own and I may earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Enjoy and feel free to share with your friends!
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.
Blueberries
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
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
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.
Avocados
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
The dark, European kind is rich in nutrients called flavonols, which lower both blood pressure and cholesterol.
Olive Oil
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.
