How foods impact our heart.
The foods we eat have a large impact on our heart. With it being world heart day, its time to reflect on how we can look after ourselves a little bit by monitoring what we eat.
When looking at coronary heart disease, food-related risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, and a diet high in saturated fats. All of these have a direct impact on your heart. Heart and circulatory diseases cause a quarter of all deaths in the UK, that's more than 160,000 deaths each year – an average of 460 deaths each day or one every three minutes in the UK. There are around 7.6 million people living with a heart or circulatory disease in the UK: 4 million men and 3.6 million women. (www.bhf.org.uk)
With heart disease being such a common cause of death for people its so important you look after yourself and your heart. A low-saturated fat, high-fibre, high plant food diet can substantially reduce the risk of developing heart disease, and can help increase the longevity of your life.
Here are 5 healthy foods you can incorporate into your diet to help improve your heart.
- A handful of healthy nuts such as almonds or walnuts will satisfy your hunger and help your heart.
- Berries are chock full of heart-healthy phytonutrients and soluble fiber. Try blueberries, strawberries, blackberries or raspberries in cereal or yogurt.
- Soy. Add edamame beans or marinated tofu in a stir-fry with fresh veggies for a heart-healthy lunch
- carrots, are packed with carotenoids, fiber and vitamins to help your heart.
- Dark chocolate is good for your heart health. The higher the percentage of cocoa the better!
Try filling your diet with these healthy foods for greater heart health.
