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Here Are Five Foods You Can Eat For A Healthy Heart:
Leafy Greens
When we were children, our parents and various television programs ingrained in our heads that it is important to eat vegetables of all kinds. As much as the green color and the obscure textures can look unappealing, our bodies need the nutrients from vegetables to keep us healthy. Leafy greens include kale, parsley, broccoli, and spinach. They are specifically known for being rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are also a great source of vitamin K, which protects your arteries from stiffness and decreases cardiovascular mortality. Increasing your intake of leafy greens also helps reduce the risk of heart disease.
Whole Grains
Wheat, corn, rice, oats, quinoa, and brown rice are all whole grains that can benefit the heart. Many whole grains contain a good source of dietary fiber, which adds to your diet and helps with digestion. The dietary fibers in whole grains also can help improve blood cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease. The best whole-grain foods include dark bread, brown rice, toasted wheat cereals, and oatmeal.
Berries
Not only are berries sweet and refreshing, they are packed with antioxidants that specifically protect against the stress and inflammation contributing to heart disease. Healthline.com reported that 33 adults who consumed two and a half servings of strawberries for four weeks improved cholesterol health directly correlated to heart health.
Beans
“Beans, beans good for your heart!” We all know the old saying involving the importance of consuming beans; however, as comical as the second half of the phrase, there is absolute truth in the first half. Beans work to reduce cholesterol and decrease inflammation. Your digestive tract may be disrupted following your meal with beans; however, because they are rich in fiber, adding beans will help you feel full longer.
Fatty fish and Fish Oil
Salmon, mackerel, sardines, and tuna are all examples of fatty fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s, according to WebMD.com, are nutrients from the food that help build and maintain a healthy body. These nutrients have been studied, and it was discovered that they play a massive role in protecting the heart. Fish consumption generally lowers the risk of heart disease, depression, and mortality.