Heart health is important for overall health. Blockages in the heart can cause stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and atherosclerosis.
Hence we give you top 20 foods are can effectively remove blockages in the arteries and maintain a healthy heart. Here are 20 best heart healthy foods to cleanse your arteries.
Turmeric
Atherosclerosis is when the arteries harden which is caused by inflammation. Now turmeric or haldi has anti-inflammatory properties. This spice works in favour of reducing heart diseases. Curcumin that’s present in turmeric reduces inflammation in the arteries and the deposits of fats or blockages.
Orange
Orange is a powerhouse of vitamin C that can fight common cold. But this fruit can also fight heart diseases, here’s how. Oranges contain fibre pectin that lowers cholesterol; vitamin C strengthens the walls of the artery and sweeps out blockages. Orange juice can improve the functioning of the blood vessels.
Pomegranate
Fruits rich with antioxidants improve the walls of the arteries. Pomegranate is especially heart-friendly due to the presence of phytochemicals that are an antioxidant. Pomegranate ignites the production of nitric oxide that improves the flow of blood and expands the arteries.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a good source for proteins for vegetarians. Broccoli contains vitamin K which is beneficial for bone formation. Vitamin K also protects the arteries from damage. Besides vitamin K, broccoli is rich in fibre, which can lower cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Whole grain
Wheat is not the only available whole grains in India. There are several others like barley, jowar, bajra, ragi and ruttu. Incorporate whole grains in your diet to reduce cholesterol. Whole grains contain fibres that push out the blockages.
Fatty fish
Seafood is beneficial on various levels – mental health, brain, vision, building muscles and pregnancy. The truth is that Omega 3 fatty acids are the remedies for these problems. Omega 3 can also protect your heart and reduce blood triglyceride levels. To cleanse the arteries try these fishes rich in Omega 3 that are available in India – raavas, trale, bangda, surmai, sting ray, rohu and pomfret.
Nuts
Almonds, peanuts, walnuts or hazelnuts are heart-friendly nuts. These nuts contain vitamin E that can protect the walls of the arteries. Nuts also contain fibres that also help to reduce cholesterol in the blood.
Olive oil
Olive oil is known to have several health benefits, but it is the best oil to prevent a build-up of cholesterol in the blood. Besides cholesterol, olive oil can also reduce high blood pressure. Olive oil comes under monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are both beneficial fats for the body.
Cinnamon
This spice should be brought in the limelight for the several health benefits it caters to overall health. Cinnamon is used as a spice as well as for dessert. This versatile spice lowers fat in the blood preventing blockages in the vessels.
Coffee
Even though drinking coffee can have negative health effects, it can improve your health as long as you drink coffee in moderation. If you consume no more than four cups of coffee per day it can improve your heart health. Drink coffee in moderation to reap its benefits.
Cheese
It is important to lower high blood pressure to avoid stroke and heart-related diseases. Calcium rich cheese is the answer to bring down blood pressure. You can choose from cheddar, Parmesan and Gruyere cheese, these have good source of calcium. These cheeses are available in several major stores in India or gourmet stores.
Tea
Chai as it is popularly called, can increase your metabolism for weight but it can also improve heart health. Tea contains an antioxidant called catechins that acts like a shield to the artery wall. This antioxidants also prevents blood clots that can be fatal.
Watermelon
Watermelon works great for skin care treatment, as a detox and a weight loss food. Amino acid found in watermelon helps reduce high blood pressure. But watermelon also contains nitric oxide which opens up the blood vessels to improve the flow of blood.
Spinach
This is another fierce ingredient to fight heart diseases. Spinach contains carotene that prevents cholesterol from getting clogged in the arteries. Spinach can reduce high blood pressure to due to the nutrients and minerals present in it.
Tomato
Like in pomegranate and tea, tomato too contains antioxidants that protects the arterial walls. In tomatoes, lycopene keeps the cholesterol levels low. If the tomato sauce for your pizza is prepared from fresh ingredients, then it is a healthy pizza.
Beans
Beans contain fibre and folic acid that prevents arteries from getting clogged. Beans are also a good source of carbohydrates.
Apples
Like oranges, apples too contain a fibre called pectin that absorbs cholesterol from the blood. Apples are a great way to reduce cholesterol as you can have it anytime, anywhere and you consume it the way you want. Slice them or have it as a dessert, apple is an all time favourite to improve health.
Grapefruit
The pink grapefruit is rich in antioxidant, lycopene which is also present in tomatoes. Pink grapefruit helps prevent damage to your arteries. Grapefruit is also a great fruit for diabetics.
Corn
Protect your arteries by consuming corn or maize. Corn contains fibre that protects your arteries by flushing out cholesterol.
Garlic
Garlic can keep vampires away, but it can prevent a build-up of cholesterol too. The compound thioallyls present in garlic helps fight blood clots.
