Which Foods Protect the Heart and Arteries from Cardiovascular Diseases?

“Today, many people suffer from cardiovascular diseases. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is a very simple way to combat them. Indeed, it’s as simple as balancing your diet by consuming daily servings of vegetables and fruits, for example. Let’s focus on these foods that benefit our blood vessels and our heart!”

An increasing number of people are affected by cardiovascular diseases. However, a well-balanced diet is all it takes to reduce the risk of these diseases.

Dark Chocolate

There’s nothing better than dark chocolate for lowering blood pressure. Consuming 20 grams of non-industrial dark chocolate per day is ideal for protecting our vascular system.

The polyphenols in chocolate release nitric oxide. This enzymatic protein increases artery dilation, thus improving blood circulation and reducing platelet breakage.

Green Leafy Vegetables and Cruciferous Vegetables

Green leafy vegetables, containing a significant amount of vitamin C, reduce the risk of coronary disorders. The same applies to cruciferous vegetables rich in folic acid. These limit the concentration of the amino acid that leads to these diseases. Cruciferous vegetables also contain flavonoids, antioxidants that enhance heart muscle function and protect it from damage caused by free radicals.

Whole Grain Cereal Bread

Eating whole grain cereal bread rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, rather than white bread, can reduce the risk of stroke by 40%.

Olive Oil, Avocado, and Fatty Fish

Monounsaturated fatty acids from olive oil or avocados, as well as polyunsaturated omega-3s from salmon or mackerel, can protect the cardiovascular system.

Red Wine

Thanks to the resveratrol it contains, red wine prevents the formation of clots in blood vessels. This likely explains the “French paradox”: even though the French have a rather fatty diet, they have a lower coronary mortality rate compared to Americans and the English.