11 Foods That Help Unclog Arteries and Prevent Heart Attack

Useless, not a single one gives you amounts. 

11 Foods That Help Unclog Arteries and Prevent Heart Attack

11. Chia Seeds

Once used by Ancient Aztec warriors, this tiny seed packs a super health punch. Incorporating chia seeds into your diet is an easy way to manage your cholesterol levels. Chia seeds help maintain healthy serum lipid levels. Thanks to the presence of phenolic acid and omega 3 and omega 6 oils! Phenolic acids work as an antioxidant, which prevents cellular damage from free radicals in the body. Omega 3 and omega 6 oils prevent blood clotting and inflammation. Excessive inflammation can result in heart disease and diabetes. Add some chia seeds to your smoothie, cereal, oatmeal, or salad today!

10. Avocado

Avocados are all the rage right now because they are not only tasty but they are packed with almost 20 vitamins and minerals. Like their yellow friend, bananas, avocados are rich in potassium; potassium helps regulate and control blood pressure. Keeping your blood pressure at a healthy level for your age, height, and weight is essential in preventing a heart attack. Avocados are low in sugar and rich in fiber thus they keep you full between meals. Whether eaten as a spread on toast, as a dip in guacamole or sliced onto a salad there is no wrong way to enjoy avocado.

9. Fish

An excellent alternative to red meat and poultry, fish is a low-fat and high-quality protein. Full of heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin B2, vitamin D, iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium, fish is another super food. The vitamins and minerals in fish can lower blood pressure, reduce the chance of stroke, as well as prevent heart attacks. The omega 3’s in fish aid in maintaining a healthy heart by lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of a sudden heart attack. Fish also plays an essential role in regulating blood clots and vessel constriction. This is important if you have a history of familial blood clots or stroke caused by blood clots.

8. Coconut Oil

We all have heard how great coconut oil is for hair, skin, and nails, but a beautiful outside starts with a beautiful inside. Coconut oil really does all that! If you have been looking for oil that can help boost your good HDL levels and help lower your bad LDL levels, this is it. HDL or, high-density lipoprotein, is considered good because it is the “protective” type of cholesterol. LDL, or, low-density lipoprotein is the “bad” cholesterol. Knowing your levels of each is important before incorporating new diets or lifestyle changes. Even though saturated fat has a bad rap over the years, it is an essential fat for a healthy diet. Coconut oil should still be used sparingly as it is rich in saturated fats. Even with studies showing its cholesterol friendly benefits, it is wise to use sparingly.

7. Green Tea

Drinking green tea reduces the amount of cholesterol digested and absorbed by the body. Green tea has also been shown in certain studies to reduce the risk and development of coronary heart disease by lowering blood glucose levels and body weight. Green tea is also rich in polyphenol. It blocks cholesterol absorption in the intestines and detoxes the body from bad cholesterol. After a long day, unwind with a good book and hot cup of heart-healthy green tea.
Related: 11 Useful Remedies Hidden In A Tea Bag

6. Broccoli

Oh, broccoli, every child’s worst nightmare. Hopefully, at this point in life, you have expanded your palette because broccoli is not only delicious, it’s great for your heart. Broccoli is an excellent source of vitamin K. It prevents the hardening of your arteries. Sulforaphane, which is found in raw broccoli, has shown to decrease inflammation and reduce blood pressure. Broccoli is also rich in fiber which helps keep you full longer and prevents snacking in between meals. Fiber also has been shown to promote healthy digestion and healthy digestion is the key to staying regular. Eating broccoli raw is the best way to get all the nutritional benefits this vegetable has to offer. If you do not enjoy raw broccoli, try lightly steaming it and using nutritional yeast for flavor.

5. Cinnamon

You don’t have to do the cinnamon challenge that swept the Internet to get the nutritional benefits from this simple spice. Just one teaspoon added to your daily coffee, oatmeal, smoothie, or cereal along with a healthy diet and exercise plan could reduce your cholesterol levels. Cinnamon also increases blood circulation, which ultimately prevents blood clots that lead to heart attack. Just a dash of cinnamon can provide you with the antioxidants necessary to fight free radicals in the body. Some people do experience a slight sensitivity to the spice in cinnamon, but it is important to remember that only 5-6 grams a day are what is recommended to reap the health benefits.
Related: Lower Your Blood Sugar Level Instantly with These Foods

4. Asparagus

 Asparagus is often known as the vegetable that makes your urine smell funny. The good news is, only you can smell that strange smell when you urinate after eating asparagus. There is no bad news about asparagus; it is all positive! Since asparagus is rich in folate and other B vitamins, it helps to regulate and lower homocysteine levels in the body. Homocysteine is an amino acid found in meat, and high levels of it are linked to heart disease. Chomping on asparagus is not enough to completely reverse the adverse side effects caused by consuming heavy amounts of meat. However, it has been shown to regulate the amino acid that has been linked to heart disease. Try swapping out your regular buttered asparagus with something more heart healthy like coconut oil or olive oil.

3. Turmeric

Don’t be put off by the bright, natural color of Turmeric because it is jam-packed with heart-healthy benefits. The chemical curcumin and other naturally occurring chemicals in Turmeric decrease swelling and inflammation in some. Excess inflammation can cause heart disease, stroke, or heart attack over an extended period of time. You can add turmeric to soups, meats, poultry, fish, and smoothies. A hot new trend hitting the scene recently has been turmeric lattes. Why not step a bit outside of your comfort zone and try a turmeric latte today?
Related: Turmeric Health Benefits

2. Persimmons

Hot on the scene in the produce section is the humble persimmon. Native to China the persimmon has a soft, fibrous texture and a light but tangy taste. According to a study on tropical fruits, which included persimmons, they found that this simple fruit could improve lipid metabolism and prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Compared to tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, and guava, persimmons proved to be the healthiest for managing cholesterol levels.  Persimmons also contain high levels of fiber as well as high levels of polyphenols and tannins. Both polyphenols and tannins are an excellent source of antioxidants. By adding persimmons to your grocery list, you might lower your risk of heart disease or heart attack.

1. Spirulina

Spirulina is an algae-based supplement loaded with vitamins and nutrients your body needs. Phycocyanin, the compound that gives spirulina its pigmentation, has antihypertensive effects. Spirulina reverses endothelial dysfunction in metabolic syndrome; an increasingly common cause for the development of heart disease in Americans today. Spirulina also decreases LDL levels during an eight-week trial study. Since spirulina is mostly available as a powdered form, it is easy to incorporate into your everyday diet. Sprinkle some in your tea, mix with water, or add to a smoothie.