Diet plays a major role in heart health and can impact your risk of heart disease. In fact, certain foods can influence blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol levels and inflammation, all of which are risk factors for heart disease. Here are a few foods that can be eaten to maximize your heart health:
- Berries. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are jam-packed with important nutrients. They are rich in antioxidants like anthocyanins, which protect against oxidative stress that contributes to the development of heart disease.
- Dark Chocolate. This sweet treat helps lower the risk of heart disease! Be sure to pick high-quality dark chocolate with a cocoa content of at least 70%. Eating it twice a week has been shown to lower the risk of having calcified plaque in the arteries.
- Seeds. Human and animal studies have found that eating seeds may improve several heart disease risk factors, including inflammation, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
- Edamame. Edamame contains soy isoflavones, which have been shown to help decrease cholesterol levels. Edamame also contains fiber and antioxidants, which can also benefit heart health.
