The food you eat has a direct impact on your heart’s health. There are foods that can influence risk factors for heart disease like blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol levels and inflammation.
Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs bring flavor and aroma to any dish. Adding these instead of salt or fat improves the dish without adding the bad stuff.
Leafy green vegetables
Vegetables like spinach, kale, and collard greens are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are a source of vitamin K, which plays a role in protecting your arteries and promoting blood clotting.
Vegetables are also high in dietary nitrates, which reduce blood pressure, improves the function of cells lining blood vessels and decreases arterial stiffness. Thereby opening up your blood vessels so that oxygen rich blood can get to your heart.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is a healthy fat derived from smashed olives. It’s a rich source of heart-healthy antioxidants that can protect your blood vessels. The antioxidants relieve inflammation thereby reducing the risk of chronic disease.
Olive oil is rich in oleic acid which, along with the antioxidants, is helpful in preventing and treating hypertension. Olive oil is also rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, Which can improve your heart’s health. If you replace saturated fat, like butter, with olive oil you can reduce your cholesterol levels. It works on salads, veggies, and bread.
Walnuts
Walnuts are rich in omega-3s monounsaturated fats, plant sterol, and fiber. They are also a good source of micronutrients like magnesium, manganese, and copper. You can use walnuts to replace food with bad fats like chips and cookies. A daily handful of walnuts can lower your cholesterol and protect against inflammation in your heart’s arteries.
Blueberries
Blueberries are nutritious, especially because they contain anthocyanins. The anthocyanins is what gives the blueberries their dark blue color, they have blood vessel-helping antioxidants. The anthocyanins protect against oxidative stress and inflammation, which are contributors to heart disease. Blueberries also have fiber. You can add blueberries to your cereal, yogurt, or pancakes.
Your heart’s health relies on the food you eat, so make sure it is nutritious. For delicious and nutritious food, place an order with Sprouty Pie.