5 Foods that are good for your Heart and Pocket too

Do you know heart diseases are the major cause of death all over the world? But there are many things you can do to help keep your heart healthy and disease-free. You can schedule a timely check-up, exercise daily, quit smoking, or take steps to reduce the level of stress in your life.

All of these things have a positive impact on your heart health. But, one of the simplest lifestyle changes that will benefit your heart is watching what food you give to your body. Here we have jotted down 5 foods that are good not only for your heart but pocket too:

• Beans: They can significantly reduce levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or ‘bad cholesterol.’ They are also packed with fibre, protein, and antioxidant polyphenols, all of which have beneficial effects on the heart and general health. They are also easily available and can be consumed by a large number of populations.
• Almonds: They are a great source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and fibre and these two important nutrients can help protect against heart disease. Also, the consumption of almonds decreases both LDL and total cholesterol and boosts heart health.
• Spinach: Spinach is well-known for its wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In particular, they are a great source of vitamin K, which helps to protect your arteries and promote proper blood clotting. Being high in dietary nitrates they have been shown to reduce blood pressure, decrease arterial stiffness and improve the function of cells lining the blood vessels. Overall, increasing the intake of such green leafy vegetables decreases the risk of heart diseases and keeps your heart healthy.
• Tomatoes- The lycopene source: Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a natural plant pigment with powerful antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help to neutralize harmful free radicals, preventing oxidative damage and inflammation, both of which can contribute to heart disease. According to studies, they also increase the levels of good HDL cholesterol.
• Citrus Fruits: Citrus fruits are rich in compounds that can benefit your heart health by improving cholesterol levels and lowering blood pressure. Also, many of the flavonoids in citrus fruits, including one called naringin, are strong antioxidants that benefit the heart in several ways. Include fruits like oranges, lemons as they are good for your heart health.

Over to you:

The heart is a precious organ that needs to be protected at all costs. Keep a close check on your cholesterol levels and consume foods that keep your heart healthy. Try including foods that are listed above and boost your overall heart health.