13 Healthy Foods Those Are Good For The Heart!

We need to eat healthy foods for a healthy heart. There are certain foods that are friendly to the heart and needs to be eaten mandatorily every day. Its always the combination or variety of foods that works rather than a solo food. Your plate should be filled with fruits, vegetables, preferably in the raw state and whole grains. A few permutations and combinations in the heart healthy foods list can make a big difference for the cardiovascular health.

List of Heart Healthy Foods

1. Fish

The American Heart Association has recommended consuming fish that is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids at least twice a week. Omega 3 fatty acid is an unsaturated fatty acid that helps in decreasing inflammation and triglycerides, lowering the blood pressure, reducing irregular heartbeats and decreasing stroke. Fatty fishes like Sardines, Mackerel, Tuna, and Salmon are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids.

However, it is also important to consider the method of preparation. Fishes baked or broiled is always a healthier option than deep fried ones.

2. Whole Grains

To keep your heart healthy, you need to eat heart healthy foods such as grains whole. Heart healthy foods that are high in soluble fiber are oatmeal, barley, quinoa, and beans. Eating 3 servings of whole grains daily can reduce the risk of heart disease. The nutrients present in these heart healthy foods are iron, fiber, zinc, B vitamins and Vitamin E.

These nutrients work in a team to lower the blood cholesterol, improving the processing of blood sugar in the body and prevent the chances of being obese by improving the satiety and keeping you full.

Meanwhile take a look at few Home remedies for heartburn that you must try…

3. Nuts

Choosing nuts instead of deep-fried, salty and unhealthy snacks is a good option to maintain the heart healthy. Basically nuts contain fiber, unsaturated fats, plant sterols, Vitamin E, Omega 3 fatty acids, and L- arginine that help in lowering the LDL cholesterol levels, lower the risk of developing blood clots and improve the health of the lining of the artery.

Nuts when dry roasted or raw is always preferable than deep fried in oil or ghee. However, nuts are having calories on higher side hence moderation is the key. Having a small handful of nuts per serving and having 4 servings a week is beneficial. Almonds, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, and pecan are heart-healthy nuts. However, the beneficial effects will go in the drain if these nuts are coated with chocolates, sugar, and salt.

4. Berries

Having a strawberry smoothie in the morning or sprinkling blueberries in the yogurt is advisable as it reduces the risk of heart attack. Berries are colorful, sweet and flavored that help in fighting against the chronic diseases.

Strawberries are rich in Vitamin C and folate that helps in protecting the heart. They help in widening the arteries thus preventing the plaque buildup. Raspberries are rich in fiber providing about 4 gms for the half cup. They are rich in polyphenols and low in fat that reduces the risk of heart disease.

Add berries into the milk or sprinkle them on the pies, I think the deal is like a win-win situation in terms of taste and health.

5. Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds are tiny seeds which are a boon for the heart. Flaxseeds have been a constant ingredient in crackers, waffles, and oatmeal. Flaxseeds are rich in Omega 3, lignans and fiber that help in preventing the hardening of the arteries and keeps the plaque from getting deposited in the arteries.

Lignans also reduce the atherosclerotic plaque buildup. Eating flaxseeds help in maintaining the heart’s natural rhythm and lowers the cholesterol level. Adding 1 to 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds to smoothies or combine the flaxseeds with sprouts or sprinkle flaxseed powder on muffins, cookies or bread. The choices of adding this healthy add-on are yours.

6. Beans

Beans also are known as legumes that contains proteins, minerals, and fiber without adding saturated fats. There are various types of beans like Black Beans, Mung, Kidney Beans, Navy Beans and Lima. We eat beans with rice or some eat beans on toast. You can add beans to soups, salads or pasta.

You can consider adding beans into tortillas as well as parathas. Savory pancakes are prepared using beans which make up a healthy breakfast. Beans tend to improve the blood cholesterol and make you feel fuller.

7. Leafy, Green Vegetables

There is always a reason why our mothers insist on having the leafy vegetable? Good for our health, full of nutrients and also good for the heart. Leafy veggies include Cabbage, Fenugreek, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Asparagus, Spinach, and Kale.

These are very delicious vegetables and are packed with nutrients like Vitamin A, C, and K. A daily serving of green leafy vegetables reduces the heart diseases risk by 11%. Extremely low in fat and calories and high in nutrients like calcium, magnesium, potassium and folic acid, they are essential for optimal functioning of the heart.

8. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the rich source of antioxidants, Vitamin A and C, folic acid and beta-carotene. It is also rich in lycopene that gives a bright red color to the tomatoes. Tomatoes decrease the level of oxidized LDL and show marked improvement in the inflammatory status in obese individuals.

The presence of lycopene in tomatoes has shown marked survival in patients with heart failure and the risk of stroke is reduced by 65%. Hence a tomato every day for the healthy heart.

9. Fruits

Fruits are loaded with nutrients that lower cholesterol and blood pressure and help in weight management. Hence prefer whole, fresh fruits rather than canned or frozen fruits or fruit juice. Have at least 3 servings of fruits every day. Apples contain pectin that blocks the absorption of cholesterol and also of course fiber. Citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C that can protect against stroke and also contain flavonoid that can lower the blood pressure and protects against the inflammation of the artery.

However, we need to keep a check on consumption of Avocados as they can be high in calories. But Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats that can minimize blood cholesterol and blood clots. Fruits can be eaten as it is or can be added to salads, smoothie or mixed with yogurt.

10. Dark Chocolate

The good news is that you can eat dark chocolate though in moderation as a part of heart healthy foods. Eating dark chocolates lower the blood pressure naturally and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 37%. Flavanols present in dark chocolate make the blood platelets less sticky and improve the blood flow to the brain and heart.

The fat mostly present in dark chocolates is monounsaturated healthy fats. Watch out for marshmallows, caramel or nuts present in the chocolates or any other extra ingredients that can add extra calories or fat.

11. Onions

Cutting onions do make us cry but their benefits for heart make us smile. You eat raw, cook them, roast them or add it into the soups or any other food; you will still get the beneficial properties of onions. Onions improve the levels of HDL cholesterol. You don’t need to consume too much to get beneficial effects. Just a half onion is enough to improve the HDL cholesterol.

Onions show a drop in blood cholesterol. Onions contain high amounts of flavonoids called quercetin which protects the LDL cholesterol from free radical oxidation, reduces inflammation of the blood vessels and maintains the blood flow. Onions combined with other flavonoids rich foods like apples and broccoli have shown to reduce the risk of heart disease by 30%.

12. Tofu

Tofu, is a plant protein, contains low calories and is gluten free, contains no cholesterol and is also rich in iron and calcium. Being a plant-based food, Tofu is always a substitute for animal protein, lowers LDL cholesterol, decreases the risk of atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.

13. Red Wine

Strictly in moderation, red wine is thought to be heart healthy. The antioxidants present in red wine called polyphenols help in protecting the lining of blood vessels in the heart. Resveratrol, a key ingredient present in red wine lowers the LDL cholesterol, prevents damage to the blood vessel and also prevents blood clots. Up to one drink, a day is fine to get heart-healthy benefits.

Here, we have seen amazing heart healthy foods. To maintain a healthy heart, follow a healthy lifestyle. Avoid smoking or using tobacco. Exercise daily at least for 30 minutes, have a proper healthy diet, manage stress, get enough sleep and maintain an ideal body weight. A regular health screening of blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and diabetes are mandatory. I you are on a medication for heart, have the medicines as prescribed by the doctor and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Read more – 10 Super Foods for Healthy Heart That You Must know!