11 Best Foods That Prevent Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. Yet, the simple prevention and remedy to this disease is often overlooked because it is so simple . . . a heart-healthy diet. There are certain foods that prevent heart attacks, the condition which causes more deaths than cancer. It is important to incorporate these foods in your every day diet to keep your heart healthy.

According to Harvard Health Publications, healthy diet is so powerful that it can prevent up to 70% of heart diseases, as Walter Millet, the chair of nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health, reveals.

In that spirit, below is a list of the top 10 “superfoods” which will keep your heart healthy and pumping for a long time to come.

1. Wild Salmon

When talking about foods that prevent heart diseases, salmon takes the lead in health benefits. This fatty fish contains omega-3 fatty acids; the healthy fats that your body needs to stay functional. Moreover, these essential fats reduce the risk of irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and the cholesterol buildup in arteries (atherosclerosis). With no blockage to hinder the flow of blood, the blood pressure remains at a normal level.

Tip: Take wild salmon as a main course twice a week to get the nutrition you need. You can find many healthy salmon recipes online. Check out some of them here.

2. Oatmeal

Now that you have a rich source of essential fats, you need to fill up your reserves of soluble fiber. Soluble fibers act as cholesterol sponges. They soak up the bad cholesterol, which is then expelled from the body and the bloodstream remains free from it.

However, it is important to not use the instant oatmeal, which usually contains sugar. Instead, choose quick-cooking oats or the traditional type.

Tip: Make oatmeal a staple for breakfast. Try mixing nonfat milk or coconut milk, oatmeal, berries of your choice and a pinch of brown sugar, then refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top it with honey and nuts and enjoy!

3. Oranges (and other Citrus Fruits)

Citrus fruits contain lots of nutrients for the heart . . . which are soluble fibers, potassium, and pectin, all of which work well together to keep your heart healthy. The soluble fibers soak up cholesterol, preventing its entry into the bloodstream. Potassium counterbalances salt, keeping your blood pressure under control. Pectin plays a major role in preventing congestive heart failure, which is a heart disease that is quite difficult to treat with drugs. It neutralizes the protein galectin-3, the main culprit behind congestive heart failure.

Tip: The pulp and pith (the white spongy layer between the fruit and the peel) of the orange contain pectin. So if you want to make the most of this citrus fruit, eat it as much as you can. Take it as a snack or have it in the morning with your breakfast.

Warning: Keep away from processed fruit juices. They contain high levels of sugar which brings down the effectiveness of the fruit.

4. Organic Kale

Organic Kale is the queen of dark leafy greens. With zero fat and high fiber content and nutrients like iron, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, folate, potassium, vitamins, and calcium, it provides great cardiovascular support for the body.

One of the most common causes of heart disease is clogging of the arteries, which is due to plaque deposits building up. This can be prevented by consuming organic kale. This superfood contains the glucosinolate phytonutrients which triggers the protein called Nrf2.

This protein then creates a special coating in the arteries which prevents plaque from clogging them, keeping the passage clear.

So, yes . . . your mom was right about eating those dark green leafy veggies.

Tip: Eating raw organic kale is more beneficial as the nutrients are not lost due to the heat from cooking. Try organic kale as a salad, or as a snack. There are many recipes you can find on different kinds of kale chips, soups and salads!

5. Organic Broccoli

Like kale, organic broccoli is also known as a superfood. It is a soluble fiber that helps to draw cholesterol out of your body. Apparently 1 cup of broccoli contains only 31 calories, 0 fat, 2 grams of sugar, 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein.

One cup of broccoli will provide you with your daily need of vitamins C and K, and also contains vitamin A, folate and potassium; as well as a great source of phytonutrients (see kale).

According to Wiley Online Library, there were two studies done on the benefits of broccoli that found it can in fact help reduce the blood LDL-cholesterol.

Tip: You will gain more health advantage when eating broccoli raw, so maybe try eating it with your favourite heart-healthy dip along with other “dip-able” veggies.

6. Organic Berries

Berries are not just tasty snacks; they’re packed with the nutrients that help combat heart attacks (myocardial infractions). A 2013 study revealed that women who ate more than three servings of berries a week had a 32% lower risk of incurring a heart disease compared to those who ate less. The researchers concluded that the antioxidants, flavonoids and anthocyanins help dilate the blood vessels to decrease the blood pressure.

Warning: Reason “organic berries” recommended is due to the recent finding of: Strawberries remain at top of pesticide list, report says

Tip: You could do what the women in the study did. Have at least three servings of berries per week. To make it easier, set a diet plan where you would take a bowl of blueberries or strawberries as a snack a few days a week. You can also pair them up with your morning oatmeal for a nutrient-packed breakfast.

7. Pomegranates

You can’t fight heart diseases by working on a single front. So, now that you know about the foods that lower LDL levels, flush out cholesterol, and create a protective layer to prevent plaque deposits, what about the plaque deposits already present in the arteries?

Pomegranate juice can aid in this respect. A study revealed that pomegranate juice reversed plaque buildup if the patients drank eight ounces a day for the whole year.

How does that happen? The researcher for this study, learned that pomegranate juice activates an enzyme in the body which breaks down oxidized cholesterol.

Tip: Having trouble cutting a pomegranate without making a mess?

For those who would rather read about this technique . . . simply cut off the “stem” of the pomegranate top so you can view the sections of the seeds. Carefully cut down the five yellow lines which separate the seeds. Since you’ll be cutting down the area without any seeds, there won’t be any mess.

8. Organic Beans and Other Legumes

Beans and legumes are foods that prevent heart disease as proven by various studies. Antioxidants, dietary fibers, fatty acids and isoflavones may contribute to the decrease in the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Legumes are rich in phytosterols and saponins, which prevent the absorption of cholesterol in the stomach. A clinical trial concluded that consuming half to two cups of beans/ legumes a day can reduce LDL (bad cholesterol), increase HDL (good cholesterol), maintain blood sugar levels, and lower blood pressure.

Tip: Here is a list of some healthy beans and legumes recipes you may want to try.

9. Potatoes (NOT FRIED)

Yes, please, no French fries.

Potatoes may get a bad rap, but they are actually good for your health as long as they are not fried. They are rich in magnesium and potassium, which keeps your blood pressure under control.

Heart pain (angina) occurs when the supply of oxygen does not meet the amount of work that the heart has to do. Calcium channel blockers work by dilating the arteries so that more blood can flow when required without over-exerting the heart. This effectively reduces blood pressure.

Magnesium is nature’s very own natural channel blocker as George Mateljan, the author of “The World’s Healthiest Foods” (my affiliate link), comments.

Tip: Here are some healthy (and delicious!) potato recipes that you can have fun making and eating at home.

10. Raw Nuts

Nuts contain heart-protecting compounds that reduce risks of cardiovascular ailments. The skins of almonds contain helpful flavonoids, walnuts contain high amounts of heart-healthy alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), which is a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid.

According to writer Stephen Daniells, a 2006 study revealed that walnuts were effective in reducing oxidation of cholesterol and inflammation of arteries after eating fat-rich meals.

Macadamia nuts are packed with fiber and healthy fats; pistachios are rich in potassium; and pecans contain plant sterols—a substance with powerful cholesterol-lowering abilities.

Warning: Stay away from packaged roasted nuts with a lot of added salt and keep your consumption moderate. I’ve been told to not eat any more than a handful (whatever I  can easily hold in one handful) of raw nuts daily.

11. Dark Chocolate

Wooohooo! I saved the best one for last. Who doesn’t love dark chocolate, right?

The cocoa bean is said to be rich in plant nutrients called flamonoids, which as you’ve already learned works as an antioxidant. Flavanols are the main type of flavoinoid found in chocolate. I have also learned that research shows flavanols have other possible influences on our vascular health. An example offered was that is lowers blood pressure making blood platelets less sticky. Cranberries, apples, peanuts, onions, tea and red wine are also said to contain high amounts of flavanols too.

So now it’s up to you. Make your heart-healthy choices for life!

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