Multiple risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking, and obesity, contribute to the development of heart disease. However, the food that one consumes also plays a significant part in the prevention of cardiac disorders.
The good news is that there are a lot of steps you may take to lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Eating a balanced diet that consists of fruits and vegetables, lean protein sources such as fish and poultry, whole grains, and healthy fats like olive oil is one of the simplest methods to protect yourself against heart disease.
The following is a list of eight foods that may help lower one’s chance of developing heart disease:
- Berries
Berries are loaded with antioxidants, which help combat free radicals and stop oxidative damage from occurring to cells in the body. Berries are a great source. These berries assist reduce blood sugar levels and enhance insulin sensitivity, both of which are benefits of eating them. For instance, blueberries include anthocyanins, which are phytochemicals that are only found in plants and are responsible for the dark color and antioxidant capabilities of blueberries. It has been shown that anthocyanins protect against inflammation as well as oxidative stress, which are two factors that contribute significantly to cardiovascular disease.
- Avocados
Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic and linoleic acid, which have been shown to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease.
- Nuts
Nuts are chock-full of beneficial nutrients such as vitamins E, C, and B6, which help prevent heart disease by increasing the amount of blood that flows to the heart muscle tissue.
- Fish
Certain types of oily fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, as well as walnuts and flaxseed oil, are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Fish also contain these acids. Triglyceride levels, which are a kind of blood fat, may be lowered by eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which also help to thin the blood by preventing platelets from clumping together too readily.