Fuel Your Heart with These Superfoods

Your heart is the machine that keeps your body running, so providing it with the right fuel is one of the biggest ways you can manage your health. We know many of the things that negatively impact our heart’s ability to work efficiently, but what about the things we can do to keep it at peak operation? Consider these superfoods next time you hit the grocery store.

Garlic

A common cooking ingredient, garlic releases allicin when it is crushed or chopped. Allicin offers tons of health benefits that are good for the heart and increases enzymatic activity, which is important when it comes to how antioxidants function within the body. Research has shown that garlic can help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.

Dark Chocolate

Chocolate lovers, rejoice. Dark chocolate is known to reduce the risk of nonfatal heart attacks and strokes. It also contains polyphenols, which have been shown to help reduce high blood pressure, inflammation, and help with clotting.

Salmon

Salmon offers a variety of benefits for the body, but it’s important that it is wild and not farm-raised. The omega-3s found in salmon have been shown to reduce tumors, while people who consume fish often have seen a lower risk of stroke, heart attack, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s. It can also reduce blood pressure, increase insulin sensitivity, and reduce atherosclerosis.

Nuts

Nuts are great for your heart because they contain a lot of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. It’s a good idea to include an ample portion of macadamia nuts, walnuts, almonds, and cashews each day in order to reap the benefits. Nuts are also a great option for a healthy snack to keep you satisfied throughout the day.

What other healthy habits do you implement in your daily life to keep your heart feeling great? Share them with us in the comments.