Monday, 5 May 2014

5 foods for your heart


Originally published on bodyandsoul.com.au

We reveal the goodness-filled foods that help you maintain a healthy heart
When it comes to eating, consider the different needs of each of your body's constituent parts. Here's our guide to the foods that specifically cater to the needs of your heart:
ApplesNutrients: Quercetin, flavonoids, pectin, vitamin C, vitamin K
Benefits: Pectin, a form of soluble fibre, helps lower cholesterol and removes toxins. Theantioxidants help protect the arteries.
AsparagusNutrients: Folic acid, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C and K, manganese, copper potassium, fibre
Benefits: 
Folic acid helps reduce levels of homocysteine in the blood, which when present in high levels can lead to heart disease and strokes. Antioxidants help prevent heart disease.
Oats
Nutrients: Vitamin B1, fibre, protein, manganese, selenium, magnesium, phosphorous
Benefits: Rich in a fibre known as betaglucans, which has been shown to reduce cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease and strokes as well as stabilising blood sugar levels.
Pomegranate
Nutrients: Beta-carotene, vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, ellagic acid, fibre
Benefits: Pomegranates are rich in polyphenols – powerful antioxidants that help prevent damage to the heart. Pomegranate juice has been shown to lower blood pressure and the soluble fibre can help to lower cholesterol.
Garlic
Nutrients: Manganese, vitamins B1, B6, C, phosphorous, selenium, calcium, potassium, iron, copper
Benefits: Rich in sulphur compounds such as allicin, which have been shown to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improving circulation.

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