How 7 Foods and Beverages Make Your Heart Stronger?
Healthy Heart
Foods and Beverages For a Strong Heart
The right foods are readily available to help you keep your heart in tip-top condition.
FOODS:
1- Chocolate will reduce inflammation - Just 2 ounces of dark chocolate will provide enough flavonoids to reduce the levels of C-reactive protein - a marker for inflammation that damages the heart - and reduce your risk of heart disease by as much as 33%. Pick a healthy chocolate that has at least 70% cocoa and is low in sugar.
2- Garlic will control blood pressure - The sulfur compounds in garlic are what will help your blood flow freely and lower your systolic blood pressure by as much as 8%. One clove per day is enough to reap the benefits. Chop, mash, or press the garlic and let it sit 10 minutes before eating. I like it raw, but cooking quickly is also beneficial.
3 - Pistachios will control trigylcerides - The nutrients in these nuts will keep these heart damaging fats in check. A study showed that a daily handful of pistachios lowered trigylcerides levels in people who snacked on these nuts, as opposed to people who snacked on pretzels, by 33%, according to UCLA research.
4 - Tomatoes will lower bad cholesterol - Tomatoes can lower bad cholesterol (LDL) by 13% in as little as 3 weeks. This is due to the lycopene in tomatoes which stops LDLs from turning into plaque and clogging the arteries. The tomato benefits can be found in 2 TBS. of organic ketchup, 1/2 cup of tomato sauce or a tomato.
BEVERAGES:
1- Cranberry Juice - Consuming up to 8 oz - from 1 to 3 times per day will help raise the good (HDL) cholesterol. This is due to the polyphenols in cranberry juice. (See the 4 amazing health benefits of cranberries in the link below).
2 - Black Tea - Consuming 8 ounces of black tea daily will help dilate the blood vessels and improve circulation. This is due to the flavonoids found in the tea. (See link below for the benefits of many herbal teas).
3 - Red Wine - Consuming a daily 4 ounce glass of red wine will help prevent blood clots. This is due to the antioxidant known as resveratrol.
Lists of Other Healthy Foods
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