Food is an important part of our life. In addition to ensuring the functionality of the body, food evokes various emotions, makes us gather the whole family at the table after a hard day at work, meet our friends or just enjoy a delicious recipe alone.
And if we come to the right choice, food can not only improve our mood and well-being, but also influence the correct functioning of the heart. Therefore, I want to talk to you about the foods that should be present on the table of a health conscious person, especially when it comes to blood vessels and the heart.
Fruits
Fruits can be eaten daily if you are not allergic to a certain type. Bananas and persimmons have a high potassium content, being especially useful for strengthening the walls of blood vessels and heart muscles. Lemon and pomegranate improve blood flow and protect against atherosclerosis. Apples lower blood cholesterol levels.
Vegetables
The healthiest foods for the heart are leafy vegetables – lettuce, sorrel, spinach, and others. They contain a large amount of magnesium, which contributes to the enrichment of blood with oxygen, normalizes the pulse and prevents the formation of blood clots. In addition, tomatoes prevent blood clots, the development of atherosclerosis, anemia, heart attacks. Garlic lowers blood pressure, improves blood flow, and lowers blood cholesterol levels. Pumpkin contains a lot of potassium and vitamin C, which contribute to the fight against atherosclerosis, lower blood pressure.
Berries
Berries are a natural storehouse of vitamins that have the most beneficial effect on the heart. Blueberries remove toxins from the body, normalize cholesterol levels, and prevent the development of heart attacks and strokes. Viburnum is an irreplaceable product for the treatment and prevention of hypertension, strengthens the heart muscle, helps to eliminate edema. Grapes prevent blood clots, normalize cardiac activity, increase hemoglobin levels and normalize blood pressure.
Nuts
Just a handful of nuts a day will supply fatty acids and improve heart muscle function, reduce the risk of serious illness, and improve memory and thinking. At the same time, walnuts are an excellent source of protein. All types of nuts, as well as almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, are extremely good for the heart.
Fish
Fish is more beneficial to the cardiovascular system than meat. The fat contained in the fish does not deposit on the blood vessels and strengthens the activity of the heart. Fatty sea fish such as chum salmon, pink salmon, chinook salmon are especially useful. Consumption of only 100 grams of fish per week almost halves the likelihood of developing heart disease.
Vegetable oils
Especially olive oil, which contains a huge amount of vitamin E. This product prevents thrombosis. Sesame, flax, pumpkin and almond oil are also very useful. It is by no means recommended to use in excess, but adding one or two tablespoons a day to food will be very useful. Not only the heart, but also the largest organ – the skin, will be very grateful.
Porridge
The most useful for the heart is milletporridge. This is motivated by the high potassium content. Millet porridge normalizes cholesterol, cleanses blood vessels and strengthens the heart. Oatmeal, rice and buckwheat are also useful. They normalize metabolism and have a tonic effect on the body.
Dark chocolate
Moderately consumed dark chocolate lowers blood pressure and has a positive effect on blood flow. The benefits of chocolate extend not only to the heart, but also to the vascular system, because such foods help get rid of bad cholesterol.
Which of the above products do you like? For example, I like a lot of them, especially the fish. Grilled or baked fish is the perfect dish for dinner with friends or family. Fruits and vegetables are also an important part of my diet. And I can honestly say that I feel good, both physically and emotionally.
Enjoying life, take care of your heart!