Give The Ticker An Extra Health Boost With These Everyday Foods

All of us seem to take our heart for granted that beats about 2.5 billion times over the span of an average lifetime. It’s vital that the heartbeat is strong enough to give the oxygen-rich blood a good push into the arteries to flow smoothly around the body to the tissues and organs. A good diet, alongside regular exercise, minimum stress and low alcohol consumption, can all keep these processes running smoothly. With heart disease being the number one killer in the USA, it’s time we took notice of this vital organ and take extra care of it. Most cases of heart disease is partly brought on by lifestyle choices like being sedentary and smoking, and other daily risk factors such as eating a mostly meat-based diet. This means by making healthy lifestyle changes, we can drastically lower our risk for heart disease.

No matter your age, there is a simple way to reduce the chances of heart disease- by eating a heart-healthy diet. A diet that is generally quite heart-healthy - lots of fruit, vegetables and home-cooked meals rather than pre-packaged foods. With rise in deaths relating to heart disease, it’s important we take steps to keep your heart working well. A few particular everyday foods can help with the same, which are as follows:

Wholegrains- Use brown bread, rice or pasta instead of white varieties to increase your intake of wholegrains, which are low in dietary cholesterol and saturated fatty acids and hence good for the heart. Plus, wholegrains are high in polyunsaturated fats which have a much more favorable effect on cholesterol levels, helping to lower LDL bad cholesterol levels and thereby reduce the risk of heart disease. Also, bake with wholegrain flour.

Apples- We’ve all heard the saying ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away.' It is backed by research now that eating two apples in a day can be highly beneficial for the ticker. Apples are rich in bioactive polyphenols which have an antioxidant effect, and a specific polyphenol called epicatechin may help to reduce blood pressure (high blood pressure is a major heart disease risk factor). Not to mention, apples are rich in fiber that may reduce heart disease risk factors such as high cholesterol levels.

Tomatoes- Another saying goes ‘A Tomato a Day Keeps the Heart Doctor Away,’ which is completely true due to the presence of lycopene, which gives tomatoes their bright red color and offers protection from cardiovascular disease. In order to reap its benefits for cardiovascular health, eat tomatoes raw- you can add it to sandwiches and salads. You can make a homemade tomato sauce, which you can then add to pasta, meat dishes and even roasted vegetables.

Remember dietary and lifestyle measures can go a long way towards supporting the general health of the heart, however, seek medical advice if you have a serious heart condition or are concerned about the health of your ticker.

CPR Memphis in Tennessee offers CPR classes to both healthcare and non-medical professionals. Contact us at 901-438-4200 to sign up for a class today.