Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States for both men and women. Traditionally, a low fat diet has been the prescription for heart health which causes many people to shrink away. Not anymore! The good news is there are many things you can add to your diet that can greatly improve your risk factors of heart disease. Here are 6 power foods you can start adding to your diet to keep you heart healthy!
Nuts- Although nuts aren't exactly low in calories or fat, they contain high levels of unsaturated fats that are known to lower "bad" LDL cholesterol levels in the blood and reduce the risk of heart disease. Studies have shown eating about one ounce of nuts every day will reduce the risk of heart disease in the long run by 30% according to Frank Hu, MD, PhD, associate professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Soy- Soy has also been shown to lower cholesterol levels. Using soy on a weekly basis is a great step towards protecting your heart. If you are not a tofu fan, try soy milk or yogurt, garden burgers, edamme (soy beans), or soy sausage patties. There are all kinds of ways to include soy in your diet!
Hot Cocoa- Yes you read right! Cocoa contains high levels of flavonoids which are a class of phytochemicals known to help prevent heart disease. Researchers have found that hot cocoa has more disease-fighting antioxidants than tea or red wine and the heat may help propel them into the bloodstream. Hot cocoa is also much lower in saturated fats than other chocolate sources such as candy bars.
Beans and Lentils- including kidney beans, peas, black beans, etc. ---are high in both soluble fiber and folic acid to help lower cholesterol and decrease homocysteine levels (high homocysteine levels are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease).
Broccoli- A powerful antioxidant found in broccoli and broccoli sprouts may help protect the heart from high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. A new study shows the compound, called glucoraphanin, helped improve heart health, fight inflammation, and boost natural defense systems against oxidative stress.
Grape juice- The flavonoids in grape juice, like that in wine, have been shown to prevent the oxidation of so-called bad cholesterol (LDLs, or low-density lipoproteins) that leads to formation of plaque in artery walls. Grape juice can also lower the risk of developing the blood clots that lead to heart attacks.
Start adding these foods today and begin your journey to better heart health.
? Meri Raffetto, 2004
About the Author
Owner of Real Living Nutrition Services, Meri Raffetto is a Registered Dietitian and a recognized professional in the area of nutrition and wellness. She has developed two online weight management programs, The Mini Diet Makeover and The Ultimate Diet Makeover, which focus on a healthy, non-diet approach to weight loss. For more information or to sign up for our free newsletter, visit http://www.reallivingnutrition.com.
weekly home cleaning Highland Park ..For a natural and tasty way to improve your health... Read More
Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the development... Read More
Endurance Sports are like music concerts. They start at a... Read More
The fact that diet directly affects behaviour is no news,... Read More
Your face turns flush and your skin starts to itch.... Read More
Vitamins & Minerals are essential to sustain life. Its what... Read More
I know that the headline is a oldie, but it... Read More
The story of creation begins with water. Water is an... Read More
Niacin, also called nicotinic acid, is a member of the... Read More
Is the thrill gone? Has the thrill gone out of... Read More
To many people, this may seem a simplistic answer to... Read More
A frequent misunderstanding about macrobiotics is that it is a... Read More
Finding simple ways to reduce my waistline is always a... Read More
During the past thirty years there has been a steadily... Read More
Many people avoid avocados thinking them to be fattening, but... Read More
It is amazing to be able to say I am... Read More
Besides providing taste, color, and aroma, certain seasonings can also... Read More
A flood of scientific evidence about fish oil points to... Read More
Today's tip is on hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).Hypoglycemia affects both... Read More
Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More
Established in 1989 by Stephen DeFelice, "Foundation for Innovation in... Read More
If you drop a bomb, you kill not only your... Read More
About 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease.1.1 million Americans... Read More
Making simple changes to your food diet can help remedy... Read More
Everyone can benefit from understanding how food affects our... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..Why does disease begin in the digestive tract? Your digestive... Read More
The word herb is used to refer to any part... Read More
Understanding What a Low Cholesterol Diet isBasically, in order to... Read More
Anyone who has spent a day fasting from food, or... Read More
Numerous reports have recently appeared in both the lay and... Read More
(ARA) - By now you probably think you've heard all... Read More
Beans. Legumes. Pulses. Whatever you call this plant group, they... Read More
Magnesium is an important mineral that serves numerous essential functions... Read More
If you're suffering from constipation, you are no doubt looking... Read More
Here's food for thought! Did you know the average restaurant... Read More
The old clich? that you are what you eat is... Read More
Some of the things you think you know that just... Read More
Do you know your ph? By getting ph strips at... Read More
We've heard it not only once or twice or even... Read More
Nuts of all kinds (I am talking peanuts, cashews etc)... Read More
How often do you pick up items at the grocery... Read More
One must always keep in mind that copper is not... Read More
You've no doubt heard the saying, "You are what you... Read More
If you want to lose weight, there is one thing... Read More
An American culture that is marked by a chronic lack... Read More
You may have noticed an ever-expanding choice of oils at... Read More
Evidence for the importance of fruit and vegetable intake to... Read More
To many people, this may seem a simplistic answer to... Read More
Female and male athletes respond to training in a fairly... Read More
Cholesterol. What images come to mind when you see this... Read More
Nutrition |