Our diet plays an important role in our heart health, both positive and negative, depending on the foods we eat every day. For optimal health, cardiologists and general health doctors recommend a healthy diet that emphasizes vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, whole grains, animal protein, and fish.
The foods we eat have a direct effect on blood pressure. Although obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are all risk factors for heart disease that are closely related to what we eat, a diet low in saturated fat and rich in fiber can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease.
How can we keep our heart healthy?
However, we must make a little effort to avoid excessive intake of certain foods in order to maintain cardiovascular health. We should limit foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, sodium, processed meats, refined carbohydrates, and sugar-sweetened beverages.
What foods should be avoided to maintain a healthy heart?
Both saturated and trans fats increase LDL cholesterol, and sodium raises blood pressure, thus increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Increased sodium intake is associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure and heart failure.
Plus processed meats, which usually contain a lot of sodium. Foods high in saturated fats, such as fried chicken, can also raise harmful cholesterol levels and are bad because they can promote the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques in your blood vessels and increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
What are the foods that should be eaten to maintain a healthy heart?
There are foods to avoid, but there are also plenty of foods that you can eat and add to your diet that will fuel your body with positive nutrients. Focus on adding more delicious foods that are rich in nutrients.