Keep Your Heart Healthy With Food!
Exercise, diet, or genetics-which one is really responsible for good heart health? All three.
But, researchers have discovered that there are four components of keeping the heart strong- the four components: Triglycerides, inflammation, blood pressure and bad cholesterol. Keep these 4 factors under control and your heart may last well into your 70's, 80's and beyond. And you don't have to kill yourself at the gym or eat wheat germ for life. Just make it a point to get more of the following foods in your daily diet.
The Heart Superfoods:
1) Garlic-
To control blood pressure. The sulfur in garlic helps your heart by making blood flow more freely. lowering your systolic (top number) blood pressure by up to 8 points. For garlic to be really effective, peel it, chop it, and then let it alone for 8 to 10 minutes, before cooking it or adding it to a salad.
2) Tomatoes-
To lower bad cholesterol. Eating tomatoes on a regular basis lowers bad "LDL" cholesterol by 13% in just 3 weeks. Tomatoes contain lycopene, which stops LDL from turning into artery-clogging plaque.
Important note: Adding more ketchup to your diet counts-it is a tomato product. Just make sure it's organic and not the sugar-laden, chemically altered stuff sold in supermarkets.
3) Pistachios-
Keep triglycerides under control. Often overlooked by those in love with walnuts and almonds. But pistachios, are rich in nutrients that keep triglycerides (heart damaging fats found in the bloodstream) in check. People who eat pistachios and not potato chips, lower triglycerides by 30%. Eat a tbsp. or two everyday.
4) Chocolate-
Reduce Inflammtion levels. Yes, all chocolate lovers rejoice. Chocolate, rich in flavonoids, can reduce C-reactive protein (a marker of heart damaging inflammation) enough to cut your risk of heart disease by 35%.
Your daily dose: 2 oz. of dark chocolate a few times a week. Look for brands that have at least 70% cocoa and low sugar. Brands to try: Lindt's 70% or Ghirardelli Intense Dark Midnight Reverie 86% .
That's it- 4 foods that keep your heart strong.
At a later date- 4 beverages that work like garlic, pistachios,
chocolate and tomatoes.
Good Luck!
JGib--
SupermarketRxs!
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