Heart disease is a leading cause of premature death and a serious problem for health professionals who are being swamped with heart patients. Quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet, cutting down on saturated fats, and keeping your weight within healthy limits can all help to reduce your risk of heart disease and circulatory disorders. There are also several foods you can eat to help maintain a healthy heart.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are full of lycopene, which reduces the risk of heart disease. You don’t need to eat raw tomatoes in order to benefit from their heart-protecting properties. Cooked or canned tomatoes, including sieved tomatoes and tomato sauce, also contain high amounts of lycopene. Try to eat a tomato-rich sauce with pasta or spaghetti twice a week for a tasty meal to protect your heart.
Oats
Oats help to reduce cholesterol levels, which reduces your risk of heart-related health problems. Oats can be eaten in the form of porridge, fine oatmeal, or used as an ingredient when cooking. Try to eat porridge, or other meals containing oats, at least twice a week to gain the highest benefits for your heart health.
Soy
Soy protein, often eaten by vegetarians and vegans as a substitute for meat and fish, is thought to help prevent heart attacks. Try using soy mince in dishes like spaghetti bolognese, chili con carne, and other meat-based dishes. If you find soy protein a little hard to digest, try drinking a daily glass of soy milk instead.
Salmon
Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids that help to protect you from heart disease, stroke, and blood clots. Omega-3 fatty acids help to lower your cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems. Try to eat salmon or other oily fish, such as tuna, mackerel, or sardines, twice a week.
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