Foods that will keep your heart healthy

Heart diseases are becoming an increasing health concern nowadays. Just exercising is not sufficient to prevent heart disease. You need to adopt a heart healthy diet to take care of your heart as well. Here is the list of foods that are good for your heart:

1. Good fats: Not all fats are bad for your health. You just need to know the difference between good and bad fats. Saturated and transfats block your heart arteries, whereas unsaturated fats are essential for your heart health. These good fats reduce the LDL cholesterol levels in your blood. Omega-3 fatty acids, omega66 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats are also good fats. These include fatty fish like salmon and herring, vegetable oils, olive oil, canola oil, soy nuts, many types of seeds like flaxseeds, beans and nuts like almonds, and peanuts.
2. Whole grains: Whole grains contain antioxidants, phytoestrogens and phytosterols that protect your heart and coronary arteries.
3. Chocolate: Well, there’s another reason for loving chocolate. Eating moderate amount of flavanol-rich dark chocolate benefits your heart. Cocoa helps to lower your high blood pressure.
4. Tomatoes: They are a rich source of vitamin C, vitamin A, phosphorus, fibre and lycopene, which help to build your immunity against the diseases.
5. Apple: An apple a day keeps a doctor away. Yes, because apple contains vitamin C, pectin and antioxidant flavonoid compounds which lower the bad LDL cholesterol levels.
6. Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, red raspberries increase the levels of good cholesterol HDL. Berries also help in relaxing the blood vessels and lowering the blood pressure.
7. Bananas: Potassium in bananas maintains normal heart function and the balance of sodium and water in body.
8. Green tea: Green tea very rich in antioxidants lowers the risk to heart problems.
9. Alcohol/wine: Drinking alcohol in moderation takes care of your heart by raising the levels of HDL cholesterol and thinning the blood which in turn reduces the risk of heart disease. But remember only moderate drinking is helpful. One drink equals approximately 350 ml of beer, 150 ml of wine or 45 ml of liquor.