Guide To The Top Heart-Healthy Foods

Garlic

Garlic has several profound health benefits that positively affect the heart. One is it lowers blood pressure in individuals who have high blood pressure. Studies have demonstrated supplemental garlic in high doses can actually work as well as beta blockers, a commonly prescribed group of medications used to lower blood pressure and prevent heart attacks. Garlic also reduces artery-clogging low-density lipoprotein cholesterol while having no effect on beneficial high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Finally, it has been shown to improve symptoms in heart disease patients. Specifically, it reduces the peak heart rate of these patients, which allows the heart to work more efficiently. An efficient heart is a healthy heart, and it allows a patient to exercise more intensely as well as enjoy daily activities without getting out of breath.

Soy

Foods containing soy can serve as great replacements for other less healthy choices. Soy options are generally lower in fat and contain many vitamins and nutrients that contribute to overall health. By incorporating more soy in the diet and cutting out foods high in qualities known for slowing the heart down, blood pressure levels may drop, along with the risk of heart disease and heart failure.

There are many ways soy can be incorporated into any diet plan. There are a variety of soy milk and yogurts offered in most grocery stores. Otherwise, soybeans make a great addition to any meal, as well as various types of soy meats, such as hamburgers or hot dogs.