Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Healthy Foods For Your Heart

WebbMD has a great slide show of healthy foods for your heart. Below is a summary with additional references for each food discussed.

Fresh Herbs
Rosemary, sage and thyme along with oregano contain heart healthy antioxidants. Packed with flavor, these herbs can be used to replace salt and fat in your diet.

Black Beans
Black Beans include fiber, folate, magnesium to lower blood pressure and antioxidants. I really like the mild taste of these beans in salads and with brown rice cooked with crimini mushrooms, bell peppers and tomato sauce.

Salmon and Tuna
Salmon and Tuna contain omega-3 fatty acids which help lower the risks of rhythm disorders, and lowers blood triglycerides and inflamation.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra Virgin olive oil is the first press of olives. It contains an antioxidant called polyphenols, which may protect your blood vessels.

Walnuts
Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Just a small amount of these nutritional nuts may lower your cholesterol and reduce inflamation.

Almonds
Almonds are full of vitamin E, plant sterols, fiber and healthy fats.

Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes have a low glycemic index and are full of vitamin A and lycopene.

Oranges
Oranges contain pectin, which is a cholesterol lowering fiber. They also help to lower blood pressure, since they contain potassium and the antioxidant hesperidin.

Barley
Barley is a whole grain that is great for reducing cholesterol and glucose levels. Hulled barley is the most nutritional version of barley, but does take a while to cook. I like eating it for breakfast with bananas, raisens and walnuts. I let it sit overnight in hot water, and then warm it for 20 minutes in the morning for a healthy breakfast.

Oatmeal
Oatmeal is good for lowering the bad cholesterol, LDL. The healthiest version is considered to be steel-cut oats, since it is processed the least.

Flaxseed
Flaxseed is full of fiber and the plant version of omega-3 fatty acids. I actually prefer hemp seed, since they contain even more omega-3 fatty acids than flaxseed and all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids.

Low Fat Yogurt
Low fat yogurt is high in calcium and potassium, which is good for bone health and helps to lower blood pressure. Calcium is also thought to help lower your fat intake.

Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper may help to prevent insulin spikes after meals. It also is thought to increase your metabolism, which will help you keep your weight down.

Cherries and Blue Berries
Cherries and blue berries are packed with anthocyanins, which is an antioxidant believed to protect blood vessel health.

Charles

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