Olive oil, walnuts, salmon and quinoa are among the foods that can protect your heart from disease.
Your heart and its health are very important to a person’s overall health because it can “catch” it coronary disease stroke, heart attack and even dementia.
Eating healthy foods is a big step you can take to protect your heart.
Below you will find 5 foods that are easy to add to your daily diet without making major changes to your lifestyle.
1. Olive oil
Olive oil contains the highest percentage of monounsaturated fat, which is great for your heart. It helps lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
2. Quinoa
Quinoa is a high-fiber, gluten-free grain from South America that contains antioxidants and essential amino acids, according to the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). Antioxidants and amino acids help protect and repair cells and reduce the risk of disease. In addition, fiber can lower cholesterol and blood pressure, according to Harvard Health.
3. Black beans
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, black beans are rich in fiber, which helps your body maintain healthy cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of heart disease. They are also nutritionally dense and high in protein, which is why they are sometimes called a “superfood.”
4. Nuts
According to Harvard Health, walnuts are high in alpha-linolenic acid, which is converted to certain types of omega-3 fatty acids in the body. Omega-3 fatty acids help protect your heart health in several ways, including lowering triglycerides in your body.
5. Salmon
Not only does salmon contain heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, it also contains plenty of vitamin B6, which helps maintain the balance of an amino acid called homocysteine for optimal heart health.