The heart is one of the most important muscles in the body. You want to do everything you can to keep it healthy.
A good diet is essential to a healthy heart. Eating heart healthy foods and supplementing with the right amount of exercise will get you on a path to a higher quality of life. Here are some of the foods you will want to include in your heart healthy diet.
5 Foods that Support Heart Health
Leafy Green Vegetables
Leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, and collard greens are rich in antioxidants that protect the body from oxidative stress. They are a good source of vitamin K that protects arteries and promotes healthy blood clotting. They are high in nitrates that reduce arterial stiffness, decrease blood pressure, and improve the functioning of the cells in blood vessel linings.
Whole Grains
Whole grains differ from other grains in that they contain three nutrient rich components; the germ, the endosperm, and bran. Examples include whole wheat, oats, rye, barley, and brown rice. Studies have shown that eating whole grains regularly can lower the risk of heart disease and decrease blood pressure.
Berries
Berries like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are rich in antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. They have been shown to lower bad cholesterol levels in people with metabolic syndrome. They may also improve the function of the cells that line the blood vessels helping to control blood pressure and blood clotting.
Avocados
Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats that reduce cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease. They contain high levels of potassium that can decrease blood pressure. Studies have shown that people that eat avocados regularly were less likely to have metabolic syndrome.
Fatty Fish and Fish Oil
Salmon, sardines, mackerel, and tuna are examples of fatty fish with high contents of heart healthy omega-3s. Including fatty fish in your diet can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, and blood triglycerides. Decreases in fish consumption have been linked to a higher risk of heart disease.
Supplements for Heart Health
The foods listed above are beneficial to heart health, but when you’re eating on the go, it can be difficult to include many of them in your diet. Taking a supplement is a great way to get your dose of heart healthy vitamins and nutrients without spending as much time in the kitchen and grocery store.
If you are looking for a heart supplement to include in your diet, you want one that comes from a reputable brand and is made from all natural ingredients. Cardio Fit by Progressive Labs is recommended.
Progressive Labs is an innovative company that prides itself in manufacturing unique and effective supplements. Cardio Fit features a blend of herbs and botanical extracts that are rich in antioxidants that are essential to heart health. It protects the body from free radicals that increase the risk of heart disease.
A healthy heart is so important. The right mix of diet and exercise will get you feeling your best so you can enjoy a long life. What do you do to get your ticker pumping at optimal rates?