You Should Eat a Lot More of These Foods To Lower Your Risk of Stroke, Heart Attack

You Should Eat a Lot More of These Foods To Lower Your Risk of Stroke, Heart Attack
SHARE

We’ve all heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” This old adage actually holds a lot of truth.

The food we put into our bodies can affect every part of our health — from how we feel and look to how well we age.

While there’s no magic bullet for healthy living, here are some great examples of foods that can help lower your risk for conditions such as strokes and heart attacks:

  • Berries. Blueberries and strawberries are rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, which are great for your overall health. They help lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation, which helps prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD). Phytonutrients also help lower blood pressure and reduce stress hormones in the body.
  • Salmon and other fatty fish. Fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats help reduce inflammation and stabilize abnormal heart rhythms — two things that can lead to heart attacks. Omega-3s also improve how well our blood vessels respond to stress as well as cholesterol levels (triglycerides), which can prevent CVD.
  • Nuts. Eating nuts may reduce your risk of dying from heart disease by 29%, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Nuts are loaded with healthy fats and fiber, both of which boost heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and controlling inflammation in the body. They are also rich in magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc, folate.
  • Olive oil. Olive oil is packed with healthy monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to reduce inflammation that can lead to heart disease and stroke. Additionally, replacing saturated fats (such as those found in red meat) with unsaturated fats like olive oil can also help lower cholesterol levels, reducing your risk for heart attack and stroke.

Eating foods high in sodium may increase your risk of high blood pressure, which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.


SHARE

Anna is an avid blogger with an educational background in medicine and mental health. She is a generalist with many other interests including nutrition, women's health, astronomy and photography. In her free time from work and writing, Anna enjoys nature walks, reading, and listening to jazz and classical music.

Post Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.