Doctor-Approved Foods to Protect Your Arteries Naturally

Lisette Marie

17. The Vibrancy of Beets: A Nitric Oxide Boost

Boiled beetroot on clay plate. Woman clianing beets with a knife. Photo Credit: Envato @svittlana

Beets are an incredible source of dietary nitrates, which the body converts into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a powerful vasodilator, meaning it helps relax and widen blood vessels, promoting better blood flow and lowering blood pressure. This effect is particularly beneficial for arterial health, as it reduces the strain on your heart and helps keep your arteries flexible. Whether juiced, roasted, or added raw to salads, the vibrant color of beets signals a wealth of heart-healthy benefits that can help prevent and even reverse arterial stiffness.

18. The Heart-Healthy Spice: Cayenne Pepper

Ground dried red cayenne pepper. Photo Credit: Envato @Olga_Kochina

Cayenne pepper is a potent spice with a surprising number of cardiovascular benefits. It contains a compound called capsaicin, which has been shown to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and improve circulation. Capsaicin helps stimulate the release of nitric oxide in your body, leading to better blood vessel dilation. It also helps reduce inflammation and can even boost metabolism. A small dash of cayenne in your meals, from stir-fries to soups, can provide a spicy kick while actively working to keep your arteries clear and your heart healthy.

BACK

(9 of 14)

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x600-long zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-bottom">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:600px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="7087745678"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-bottom', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
		gtag('event', 'conversion', {
			'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
			'value': 0.0,
			'currency': 'USD'
		});
    	console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
	}
	
    console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

OpenAI Playground 2025-05-13 at 10.55.45.png

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x280-sticky zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-sticky">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:280px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="9869999824"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-sticky', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
	  gtag('event', 'conversion', {
		'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
		'value': 0.0,
		'currency': 'USD'
	  });
	  console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
  	}

console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

17. The Vibrancy of Beets: A Nitric Oxide Boost

18. The Heart-Healthy Spice: Cayenne Pepper

MORE FROM HealthPrep