Foods that Help Promote Heart Health
When it comes to your heart health, there is really no such thing as being too young. There is even growing evidence that shows that starting out with a healthier lifestyle habit sooner will leave you better off in the long run.
In the UK, heart disease has been identified as one of the biggest killers and it is a condition that can affect just about anybody too. However, there is evidence that one can cut the risks of heart disease by leading a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle is also likely to diminish the risks of stroke and heart attacks. Aside from maintaining a good weight, it is important to avoid smoking, get a lot of exercises, and to keep alcohol intake at a minimum.
As Dr. Toby Ikueke recommends, pursuing a balanced and healthy diet is very important. Of course, this does not mean having to live by bland, boring, and overpriced foods. Below are some foods that are going to help give your heart a big boost and are super tasty too.
Dark chocolate
Chocolate is very good for the heart, but one must make sure to consume only those that have high cocoa content. This means going for the high-quality dark type and to steer clear from those that are loaded with sugar. Cacao is one food that is dense with nutrients such as polyphenols. It is also packed with antioxidants. It is even known to reduce the bad cholesterol and even total cholesterol which makes it a good food choice for fighting heart disease.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a key ingredient of the famous Mediterranean diet- one that has been lauded for lowering the risks of heart disease. The antioxidants and the vitamins C and A that are found in tomatoes make this possible, it also has high lycopene content which helps gives it more boost as far as increasing heart health goes. Lycopene has also been associated with a ton of benefits including reducing blood pressure and inflammation as well as lowering bad cholesterol- all of which are things that are licked towards maintaining a good heart.
Oily fish
Salmon, an oily fish, should be a regular on your menu. It is a great lean protein source and is helpful in keeping the extra weight at bay while making sure that you are energized and filled. It is also known to contain omega-3 which improves brain function and is excellent for maintaining a healthy heart. It does not only keep the blood pressure in check but the heart rate too. It helps reduce bad cholesterol while increases the good cholesterol in the body which means reducing heart attacks in the process. Since the body can’t produce omega-3, it is important to include it in the diet.
Keeping your heart healthy means committing to a healthy lifestyle. So, making sure that you watch out what you eat is very important. Learn more about how to better care for your heart by reading about Dr Toby Ikwueke online.
