While there are many factors to eating a healthy diet, including heart-healthy foods is a great way to improve your overall health. Fruits and vegetables rich in healthy nutrients can lower your chances of getting heart disease and improve your blood circulation. This article focuses on foods that are known to improve your heart health by reducing inflammation and decreasing your risk for plaque build-up. For health and wellness guidance, visit AFC Urgent Care Braintree. Our clinic offers preventative healthcare services on a walk-in basis with no appointment needed.
How Does Food Impact Your Heart Health?
Your heart is a vital organ. It pumps blood and nutrients throughout your body. However, certain foods can inhibit your heart's ability to function properly over time. As you age, your heart becomes more prone to becoming inflamed or coated in plaque which can disrupt its ability to effectively pump blood. Heart health is important to monitor, but older men are particularly at risk for developing heart-related health complications.
Food has a direct impact on your heart's health. Mostly because certain foods can have a negative impact on your heart health. At the same time, certain foods can help promote healthy heart function. Cardiologists suggest that eating too many processed, sugary, or fatty foods can promote harmful plaque buildup around the heart. Similarly, keeping a healthy weight and maintaining regular cardiovascular-specific workouts can help keep your heart healthy.
What Foods Are Considered Heart Healthy?
Although there are foods that are particularly beneficial for heart health, eating heart-healthy foods includes eating a broadly healthy diet. This means eating a well-rounded diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Prioritizing specific antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals by including more heart-healthy food can improve blood vessel health by reducing inflammation and improving blood pressure. Whether you have an underlying heart condition or want to prevent heart-related illnesses in the future, including more heart-healthy foods in your diet can be beneficial. Some food that will improve your heart health are:
Whole Grains:
Whole grains are a great choice if you’re trying to prioritize your heart health. Compared to processed grains, whole grains are packed with many nutrients. Oats, barley, brown rice, quinoa, and wheat are examples of heart-healthy whole grains. Not only are whole grains great at keeping you feeling full and energized, but they ensure better digestion, lower cholesterol levels, and improve blood sugar levels.
Nonfat and low-fat dairy:
Fatty foods can cause your arteries to collect plaque which can be dangerous. Low-fat products like skim milk, yogurt, and cheese are great options to improve your heart health. These foods contain calcium, protein, and vitamin D. They lower the LDL cholesterol levels and help keep your blood pressure within its normal range. Moreover, they improve bone strength, muscle functions, and cardiovascular health.
Healthy Protein:
Many cardiovascular experts recommend limiting your red meat intake if you are trying to prioritize your heart health. Lean poultry, fish, beans, lentils, tofu, and legumes all contain the essential amino acids and other vital nutrients that support muscle growth and reduce the risk of heart disease because of their low cholesterol and saturated fat content.
Vegetables and Fruits:
Many nutrients are found in fresh fruit. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help reduce blood pressure and inflammation which helps in reducing the risk of heart disease and strokes. To get the most health advantages, the portion of fruits and vegetables should be half of your plate every meal. Frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh, and can be a bit more budget-friendly.
Unsaturated fats and oils:
Saturated fats are one of the most dangerous foods because they have been shown to stick to the lining of our hearts and arteries. Avocados, almonds, seeds, olive oil, and fatty fish contain unsaturated fats and oils rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These nutrients have been shown to reduce bad cholesterol and inflammation. Limiting saturated fats can positively affect blood vessel function and cardiovascular health.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Braintree for Health & Wellness Guidance Services
If you’re someone who is at risk for developing a heart-related condition, or just someone who wants to make healthy choices and eat well, eating more heart-healthy foods is a great way to start. At AFC Urgent Care Braintree, we provide preventative healthcare services in our walk-in clinic. Walk into the clinic today to find out how you can take steps to prioritize your heart health.
At AFC Urgent Care Braintree, our medical staff is board-certified and available to provide a variety of preventative healthcare services. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care for patients paying out of pocket for their care. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you. Contact the clinic for more information by calling (781) 848-2273.
