Heart diseases are one of the major reasons for death worldwide. However, a good diet in which use of vegetables, contributes a lot to maintaining good heart health, and some of them can even impact your risk of heart disease.
Today, we have a list of amazing vegetables that are considered great for your heart health, and adding them to your regular diet can ensure a healthy heart and longer life.
Green veggies:
Green vegetables contribute a lot to improving your heart health.
Crave kale:
This amazing green vegetable contains all the essential heart-healthy nutrients, specifically nitrates that improve blood flow. When you eat the veggie kale, its nitrates turn into nitric oxide, which dilates the blood vessels and opens the arteries. As a result, more oxygenated blood moves through the vessels towards the heart muscles, blood pressure decreases, and your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump.
Swiss chard:
Swiss chard is loaded with vitamin K, which is considered an essential nutrient for brain, bones, and heart health. Vitamin K is linked with calcification in the arteries – a process that makes arteries stiff. Consuming vitamin K keeps the arteries flexible, which in turn keeps the blood pressure in check.
Broccoli:
Broccoli is a nutrient-rich vegetable that contains vitamin E and C, which have antioxidant effects. Consuming broccoli in vegetable form reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by fighting against free radicals that damage the cell. Broccoli also reduces inflammation, improves blood sugar control, boosts immunity, and improves heart health.
Green beans:
Green beans are full of fiber and folate, which are essential for heart health in many ways. In addition, green beans are also loaded with vitamins A, B, and C and lutein. Vitamin A, through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helps to fight inflammation and prevents hypertension.
Brussel sprouts:
Brussel sprout is loaded with folate, which is considered an essential nutrient for cell growth. Homocysteine is an amino acid that damages the linings of blood vessels and increases blood clotting; however, folate present in Brussel sprout help to lower this amino acid and keep your heart healthy.
Other than these green vegetables, some other great vegetables for heart health include;
Carrots:
Carrots are full of those nutrients that are considered good for your heart health. Their potassium content helps to control blood pressure, and their fiber content lowers the chances of heart disease and maintains a healthy weight.
Garlic:
Several studies have shown garlic’s benefits in controlling blood pressure. Adding garlic and garlic supplements into your regular diet prevents cell damage, regulates cholesterol, and lowers your blood pressure.
Squash:
Fresh yellow squash is full of heart-healthy nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, folate, and vitamin C. Squash manages your blood pressure, which reduces the risk of stroke and heart diseases.
Tomatoes:
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which lowers LDL levels – LDL is often called bad cholesterol. It also lowers blood pressure, which is major heart disease. Tomatoes also contain vitamins B and E and flavonoids that boost your heart health.