We all know that a regular exercise routine is good for our hearts but your diet is just as important to your heart health. The old adage, "you are what you eat" couldn't be truer when it comes to keeping your cardiac system in great shape. When you pair cardiovascular exercise with a diet rich in heart-healthy foods, you can stay on a strong path.
Keeping your heart working efficiently requires excellent vessel health. When your arteries and vessels become clogged or inflamed due to a poor diet, it can cause you serious health problems.
If your diet is filled with fatty and cholesterol inducing foods, you are at a higher risk of developing heart issues. With this type of unhealthy lifestyle, you may want to get your CPR certification through lifesavered.com in case of a heart attack. Or, you can change your diet and get active. Let's take a look at the five foods that can help you improve your heart health.
Leafy Greens
A diet that includes leafy greens like spinach, kale and collard greens is excellent for your artery health. These green vegetables are rich in Vitamin K, which is vital to your heart vessel function and promotes proper blood clotting. Spinach and kale have been shown to help reduce your risk of heart disease.
Nuts & Seeds
You can improve your heart health even in the smallest ways. Add a sprinkling of flax or chia seeds onto your morning cereal and you can help your heart stay strong. Walnuts, almonds, and peanuts are a great source of protein and are high in fiber, which is vital to digestive health. You can easily replace your less healthy snacks with a handful of nuts or seeds to help you lose weight.
We like to get our nuts and seeds at Target!
Whole Grains
A proper whole grain will contain the germ, endosperm, and bran of the plant. You can find whole-grain nutrition in brown rice, buckwheat, barley, rye, and quinoa.
Whole wheat foods are easier on your digestion and can help to lower your cholesterol, leading to better heart health. You should be getting at least three servings of whole wheat per day for the best cardio benefits.
Beans
A variety of delicious beans are high in resistant starch that can help to lower your cholesterol and your blood pressure. Beans are a great staple that you can always have in your pantry. They last for years and you can use them in all sorts of cooking.
Many vegetarians use beans as a powerful source of protein. Soybeans are also high in Omega-3’s, which are important for brain function and inflammation. Many heart issues are caused by vessels and arteries that are swollen and not functioning efficiently.
Berries
Adding berries to your diet is a sweet way to keep your heart healthy. Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries are full of antioxidants that are vital to controlling tissue inflammation. They can help to reduce your LDL (bad) cholesterol and improve your heart vessel health-promoting proper circulation.
Conclusion
It’s time to become more conscious of what you are adding to your diet. If you want to improve your heart health you can add a delicious variety of nuts, berries, greens, grains, and beans to your regular diet. It’s never too late to adopt better heart-healthy habits that include a regular exercise routine and wiser daily food choices.
