We all know that eating healthy, natural foods is healthy for us, but it’s hard to actually take that next step and start shopping in the produce section. This can be a challenge — we’re busy, on the go, following our work-life, etc. Sometimes it’s simply more convenient to grab something out of the vending machine or drive thru line than it is to make a healthier choice. But do you know what best fruits for healthy heart are?
The best choices of fruits to consume when you want to improve your cardiovascular system.
Apples, blueberries and strawberries are the best fruits for heart health.
Best Fruits for Healthy Heart
Apples: Apples help to lower triglycerides, which are fats found in the blood. They also contain quercetin, which is a flavonoid that helps to lower LDL cholesterol. Quercetin also helps to reduce inflammation in the body by inhibiting the production of inflammatory compounds called cytokines.
Blueberries: Blueberries have been shown to prevent plaque buildup in arteries and blood vessels by decreasing inflammation throughout the body. They also decrease blood pressure and improve circulation. Blueberry extract can inhibit platelet aggregation (stickiness), which may help reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack by preventing blood clots from forming in your arteries or veins.
Strawberries: Strawberries contain ellagic acid, which has been shown to prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidizing (damaging) while still allowing free-radical oxygen molecules to be neutralized by antioxidants such as vitamin C and selenium present in our bodies. This means that strawberries have an anti-inflammatory effect on our bodies that may protect against heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels and preventing artery damage .
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and it can be prevented by eating a healthy diet. A heart-healthy diet includes lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy products.
The following fruits are best for heart health includes some of the most common fruits and some lesser-known ones that are good for your heart.
Blueberries: Blueberries are rich in antioxidants called anthocyanins. These antioxidant compounds help prevent damage to blood vessels and reduce inflammation, which may help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. They also contain fiber, which helps lower cholesterol levels, reducing your risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke.
Prunes: Prunes are dried plums and contain more than 40 percent dietary fiber, which helps lower blood cholesterol levels by binding with bile acids in the digestive tract and removing them from the body before they can be reabsorbed by the body. Prunes also contain antioxidants that may protect against cell damage caused by free radicals in the body associated with inflammation and heart disease.
Cherries: Cherries are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium and fiber — all nutrients that work together to improve overall cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure, protecting against heart attack.
Fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals. They can be delicious, healthy snacks and sweet additions to salads, yogurt and cereal.
Fruits are an excellent source of fiber. Fiber helps lower cholesterol levels, prevents constipation and keeps you feeling full longer.
Here are some of the best fruits for a healthy heart:
Berries
Berries include strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. Berries are high in antioxidants called anthocyanins that protect against heart disease by preventing blood clots and inflammation. Berries also help prevent blood clots by keeping your blood vessels flexible so they can expand when needed during exercise or sex. Raspberries have more antioxidants than any other fruit or vegetable!
Grapefruits
Grapefruits contain lycopene which is an antioxidant that lowers cholesterol levels while protecting your heart from free radical damage that leads to heart attack or stroke. Grapefruit also contains naringenin which prevents constriction and thickening of blood vessels which reduces high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels associated with heart disease. You can eat grapefruit raw or cooked (try adding it to a stir fry). If you prefer not to eat it raw then steam it for a few minutes.
Here are some fruits that can help keep your heart healthy:
1.Banana
2.Apple
3.Grapes
4.Blueberries
5.Oranges
6.Watermelon
7.Strawberries
8.Plums
9.Pears
10.Prunes
What fruits are best for heart health?
Fruits are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and fiber that help keep your body healthy. They contain antioxidants and other nutrients that may help protect against cardiovascular disease. Eating more fruit can also help you meet your daily recommended intake of vitamin C and potassium.
The following are some of the best fruits for heart health:
Berries
Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins. These compounds help reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which can lead to plaque buildup in arteries and increase your risk of developing heart disease.
Grapefruit
Grapefruits are a good source of vitamin C, potassium and folate (vitamin B9). Folate helps prevent homocysteine levels from rising too high in your blood, which can cause heart disease by damaging blood vessels. In addition, grapefruit contains naringenin, which is believed to lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels so they don’t constrict as much.
Pomegranates
Pomegranates contain high levels of anthocyanins, flavonoids and antioxidants called ellagitannins that may lower inflammation throughout your body.
One of the best ways to keep your heart healthy is through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in sodium and saturated fat, and high in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants — all of which can help decrease the risk of heart disease.
While all fruits are good for you, some are particularly beneficial for your heart.
These 5 fruits are packed with nutrients that may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
1. Apples
2. Blueberries
3. Pomegranates
4. Strawberries
5. Bananas
These fruits are the best for heart health:
1. Berries. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and other berries are rich in antioxidants called polyphenols. These compounds help protect your heart by lowering inflammation and reducing cholesterol levels. Berries also contain fiber, which helps lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
2. Apples. Apples contain pectin, a soluble fiber that lowers cholesterol levels by binding with bile acids in the intestine and removing them from the body before they can be reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Apples also contain quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that protects against cell damage from free radicals (those unstable oxygen molecules that damage cells).
3. Oranges. Oranges are high in vitamin C, which helps prevent plaque buildup in arteries and reduces inflammation throughout the body — especially within blood vessels themselves. Vitamin C may also boost immune function and protect against cancerous tumors growing inside artery walls or on their surface (called intramural plaques). It’s been suggested that oranges may even lower blood pressure slightly when eaten daily for at least three weeks — but more research is needed to confirm this benefit beyond doubt.
When it comes to the health of your heart, there are many things you can do. Eating right and exercising regularly helps, but there are also foods that can give your heart a boost.
Here are some fruits that can help keep your heart healthy:
Berries. All berries are great for heart health because they contain flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties and help protect cells from damage. They also contain anthocyanins, which may help lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation in the body. Berries also contain potassium and magnesium, two minerals that help control blood pressure.
Apples. Apples contain quercetin, an antioxidant found in red apples that may help reduce cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for producing cholesterol in the liver. Apples also contain pectin, which may help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels by binding to bile acids in the intestines and preventing them from being reabsorbed into the bloodstream as fat. Red apples have more quercetin than green apples do, so if you want to get more of this nutrient in your diet, choose red over green (and remember to eat the skin!).
Fruits are good for your heart.
These fruits are good for the heart because they contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation.
Blueberries
Blueberries have high levels of anthocyanin, which is an antioxidant that protects the heart by reducing inflammation. They also have flavonoids called quercetin, which helps prevent blood clots from forming in your arteries. In addition to these benefits, blueberries are also high in fiber, manganese, magnesium, and Vitamin C.
Apples
Apples have a lot of fiber and pectin, which helps lower cholesterol levels in the blood by binding with fat particles and removing them from the body through stool. Apples also contain quercetin, which helps prevent blood clots from forming in your arteries as well as reducing inflammation in arteries. Apples are also rich in vitamin C and copper – both of which protect against heart disease by strengthening your immune system and preventing damage to blood vessels due to free radicals (oxidative stress). To get the most health benefits out of apples try eating them with the skin on since it contains most of the nutrients!