The heart needs a caring attitude, the basis of which is proper nutrition. The use of certain products is desirable to limit or even exclude them from the menu. But fresh fruits and vegetables should always be present in the diet, this will reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. Vegetarians are known to be much less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease.
In addition, fruits and vegetables for the heart are necessary not only as a preventive measure, but also to improve the condition of a person who already has problems with this body. Even after a heart attack, the use of these products will help to avoid its recurrence, and it is much more effective than refusing meat products and milk.
Fiber benefits
Fiber helps prevent heart disease and also reduces the risk of exacerbations. Its source can be both vegetables and fruits, and legumes or cereals. The use of such products helps to lower cholesterol, and also helps to remove fat from the body. It’s best to get fiber from whole foods, not from nutritional supplements.
What vegetables and fruits are needed for the heart
In the diet of a person who has heart problems, foods that are rich in potassium salts should predominate. From vegetables, potatoes, cabbage, pumpkin are useful, which improve the work of the heart and help remove excess fluid. Healthy fruits for the heart and blood vessels that contain potassium are bananas, apricots, prunes, dried apricots, raisins and others.
Magnesium salts dilate blood vessels and prevent spasm. Therefore, it is useful to eat beets, carrots, lettuce, parsley, black currants.
Every day on the table should be present fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits, which contain useful vitamins, trace elements, fiber. Due to this composition, these products cleanse the body and remove cholesterol. Raw vegetables and fruits contain a lot of vitamin C, which strengthens blood vessels.
Let us consider in more detail what fruits and vegetables are good for the heart, and what are their benefits.
Fruit for the "motor"
Each fruit contains a specific set of trace elements. Potassium and calcium, as well as vitamins of groups A, C and B are most useful for the heart muscle . Therefore, it is necessary to give preference to those fruits in which the content of these substances is maximum. Fruits for strengthening the heart are affordable, which is good news. In addition, you can purchase them in any store and on the market.
Fruits are useful not only for those who are already worried about the heart. Everyone needs to use them for the prevention of such diseases. What fruits for the heart will benefit?
Apricots
Potassium in the composition of these fruits helps to improve the state of blood vessels, remove toxins from the body and normalize blood pressure. When asked which fruit is good for the heart, apricots can be put on the first place in the list. It is worth noting that dried fruits contain more potassium than fresh ones. Dried apricots improves blood circulation, is useful for myasthenia gravis, cardiac arrhythmias and other problems.
The apples
These fruits to strengthen the heart are the most common and affordable, they are low-calorie and do not contain harmful substances. Apples contain dietary fiber and pectins, due to which many toxins are eliminated from the body, carbohydrates are not converted to fats.
Apples are rich in vitamin C, due to which the walls of blood vessels are strengthened, their permeability to toxic substances is reduced. The most useful is the peel of this fruit. It contains substances that have a powerful anti-sclerotic, antihypertensive and anti-tumor effect on the body.
Bananas
These sweet exotic fruits for the heart are very healthy. This is explained by the fact that bananas are rich in potassium, which helps strengthen the heart muscle. To prevent heart disease, one banana per day is enough. And if problems already exist, it is necessary to eat these healthy fruits for the heart and blood vessels with honey.
Peaches
Ripe fruits contain a large amount of potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus and other beneficial substances. Eating peaches is good for people who already have heart problems. It is recommended to drink half a glass of peach juice half an hour before meals.
Garnet
These fruits for the heart are useful in the content of substances that ensure the elasticity of blood vessels. Iron in the composition of the fruit increases the level of hemoglobin. Pomegranate juice normalizes blood pressure, protects against heart attacks, and prevents the accumulation of bad cholesterol.
Grape
Dark grape varieties are especially useful for the treatment and prevention of heart disease. Berries contain many vitamins and minerals, natural acids, essential oils and fiber. Regular use of grapes positively affects the state of blood vessels, normalizes blood pressure, strengthens the body as a whole.
Avocado
Avocados are consumed both in pure form and as part of various salads. This fruit contains polyunsaturated fatty acids that inhibit the development of heart disease. Potassium in the composition of the avocado ensures the proper functioning of the heart muscle, helps increase stress resistance. Avocados are good for people who have high blood pressure.
Persimmon
This fruit is very useful for those who have problems with the heart and blood vessels. Vitamins in its composition regulate the activity of the cardiovascular system. In addition, the use of persimmons helps to strengthen the defenses and the nervous system.
Dried fruits
Trying to determine which fruit is good for the heart, do not forget about dried fruits. It is recommended to eat raisins, dried apricots, prunes, apples, dates and figs. A quarter cup of dried fruit per day is enough for normal heart function and prevention of its diseases.
Healthy vegetables for the heart
Vegetables are no less healthy than fruits for the heart. These products contain many valuable substances that our body needs. Each vegetable has its own unique composition. The daily presence of vegetables in the diet is beneficial for both the cardiovascular and other body systems. Like fruits for the heart, it is advisable to eat raw vegetables. During heat treatment, the content of nutrients is significantly reduced.
Carrot
Scientists have proven that women who consume foods high in beta-carotene daily have a 70 percent lower risk of stroke and 22 percent heart attack. A lack of this substance significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes in the diet are a good prevention of heart disease. Fans of this vegetable are less likely to have heart attacks due to the antioxidant properties of lycopene. The body absorbs this substance best from tomatoes that have been cooked. Yellow or green vegetables almost do not contain lycopene, so they are less useful.
Potatoes
Potato is an indispensable product for the heart, as it contains fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and magnesium. This product is especially useful in baked form with a peel.
Onion and garlic
These vegetables contain volatile, thanks to which harmful cholesterol is excreted, protecting the heart. In addition, these products contain fiber, vitamin C, folic acid. Regular consumption of fresh onions and garlic has a beneficial effect on the work of the heart.
Bell pepper
In this vegetable there are vitamins of group B, C, folic acid, fiber. To protect the heart, you need to eat pepper regularly throughout the year.
Broccoli
This cabbage variety is rich in many vitamins, contains potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, phosphorus and fiber. The use of this vegetable is a good prevention of not only heart disease, but also diabetes.
Cucumbers
Cucumber juice helps to normalize blood pressure. Its use is indicated for coronary disease, as well as to improve the functioning of the heart muscle. An excellent remedy for heart disease is a mixture of cucumber juice and salad (1: 1), which must be taken in a glass on an empty stomach.
Pumpkin
Useful in any form. It can be cooked, baked, and even consumed raw. Due to the content of B vitamins, the stability of the heart rhythm is ensured.
After a heart attack, it is recommended to immediately switch to a vegetarian diet, this will help stop the destruction of arteries and even restore them. Vegetables and fruits that are good for the heart contain plant carotene and other antioxidants, which helps to maintain good arteries.
So that there are no failures in the work of the heart, it is necessary to take care of the health of this organ. Your diet should be balanced, do not overload the body with products that can harm the heart and blood vessels. It is necessary to limit the use of fried, fatty foods, reduce the amount of salt and sugar in the menu.
Vegetables and fruits that are good for the heart are publicly available, some of which can be grown in your garden and even on the windowsill. A diet rich in vegetables and fruits is also useful for normalizing weight, which is very important for heart diseases.