Regardless of the fruit we have in our hands,
it is always recommendable to opt for the additive – free options. It is undoubtedly better to eat the fruit
instead of drinking the juice.
It is well-know there are plenty of heart
diseases linked to high – blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. These diseases usually pop up and progress
in a silent way. As per Dr. Michael Blaha, good feeding habits are
essential for a better quality of life. Luckily, there are fruits that boost
our heart health.
What fruits can help us take
care of the ticker?
Fruits are gifts of nature that contain
minerals, vitamins and a lot of fiber. According to the experts, we should eat at least five pieces of fruit
per day; that’s why they are an essential part of the food pyramid. Do you
eat five pieces of fruit every day? There’s a great variety of fruits you can
choose from, but only some promote heart health. Take a look at the list below.
1. Cherries
and red – colored fruits
Red fruits are rich in
antioxidants, especially one called lycopene which is a powerful compound that protects the
heart very well. Fruits such as the watermelon and the grapefruit are also good
for the heart. They are rich in anthocyanins, which improve blood circulation
and clean the veins from toxins. Anthocyanins can be found in red fruits like
apples and cherries. In accord with the studies carried out by Dr. Bahram,
apples are miracle fruits because they count on a great potential to reduce bad
cholesterol.
Apart from the apples, cherries and other red
fruits, red berries and pomegranates are
beneficial for the heart since they are compounded by ellagic acid, which
helps regulate cholesterol, blood pressure and circulation. In addition to
this, eating grapes and blackberries is a good way to prevent a cardiac arrest due
to a chemical compound named resveratrol, another antioxidant that protects the
heart and other organs from damage and cancer. Don’t forget about strawberries,
bilberries and papayas when it comes to preventing heart diseases.
2. Kiwis and
the green –colored fruits
What fruits come to mind when you read green
color? Kiwis, melons, green apples, and pears. All those fruits have a lot
quantity of vitamin K and magnesium. They
clean our blood from pathogens and help us defend against a lot of heart
diseases. It is ideal to start the day with a green apple or a pear.
3. Purple
fruits
Dietitians consider black, purple and blue
fruits as good allies at the moment of preventing and fighting heart problems. They are rich in antioxidants, reduce bad
cholesterol, and have anti-cancer properties. If some of these fruits occur
in your city, eat them only in their seasons. Plums, figs, black currants,
blueberries, and raisins are some of the fruits you can choose from. Keep in
mind that they are a little hard to find since they don’t grow everywhere.
Dr. Eric Rimm, associate professor
at Harvard Medical School pointed out that starting the day with a blueberry provides lots of
health benefits, and boots heart’s well-functioning.
Light –
colored fruits
Dr. Willet, professor at Harvard
School of Public Health once said in an interview that kicking off the day with
a healthy diet that included fruits such as bananas, peaches, and white
nectarines would close the door to heart diseases since these fruits have a
high content of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemical compounds that keep the
ticker in good health (http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/halt-heart-disease-with-a-plant-based-oil-free-diet-).
You might as well add one of those fruits to your dinner menu. Light – colored fruits
are well-know because they provide potassium in good proportions.
