There's a reason why we keep reminding you about how to stay alive and healthy. While juicy burgers and creamy, sugary desserts surround you all the time, there's no way that you are going to ditch that indulging KFC meal and swear by healthier greens. Yet, it is also important you know that heart diseases are the one of the biggest killers in India. Hence, read on to know the simple yet surprising foods that you will easily stumble upon and will also keep you heart-healthy. Include them in your diet and live a better life!
Almonds and other nuts are also calorie-rich. Hence, it is important to restrict your intake of almonds to only a handful per day. Almonds are a rich source of mono and polyunsaturated fats that not only reduce total cholesterol but also raise your HDL (good) cholesterol. These super nuts also contain phytosterols that are naturally occurring plant steroids that block the intestinal tract from absorbing all types of fats.
Your morning breakfast food can help you live till 100! Oats are whole grains that contain the entire kernel as opposed to processed grains. Processed and refined foods are easier to store for longer on the shelves, but are devoid of the vitamins B, E and other such good stuff. Oats contain beta-glucan (a soluble fiber) that decreases the total cholesterol in your blood as well as your LDL (bad) cholesterol. LDL is one of the main reasons for heart attacks. Whole grains are also known to have a low glycemic index, which is a measure of how high a food raises your blood sugar level. Foods with a low GI also help in preventing diabetes (a major risk factor for coronary heart disease). Add nuts or strawberries to raise the health-o-meter!
That's right! We give you another reason to open a bottle of Pinot Noir. Red wine comprises of antioxidants like resveratrol, which reduces LDL as well total blood cholesterol, and hence keeps your heart healthy. Resveratrol have also been found to reduce blood clots by inhibiting platelets in blood. Red wine can relax arteries and, therefore, lower your blood pressure. Disclaimer: Do not finish a bottle every day. Limit the amount of red wine to 4-8 ounces per day and see your heart beat healthier every day.
Greens contain folate, which are also known as vitamin B9. Folate is known for reducing circulating levels of homocysteine in the blood that is one of the reasons for heart attacks or strokes. Increasing your dietary intake of folate-containing foods may help reduce the risk of CHD. Studies have also shown that a diet rich in vegetables as well as fruit can significantly reduce hypertension.
Fish of all kinds are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that are responsible for reducing heart diseases. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce blood pressure, block platelet function and clot formation, and prevent plaque formation in artery walls as well. These fatty acids also regulate the electrical activity of the heart, thereby reducing the likelihood of death caused by sudden cardiac arrest. Two or more servings of fish per week are good for you to reap the benefits of a healthy heart.
You may also like:
Photo: © Shutterstock (Main Image)