Valentine’s day – A day dedicated to showing the ones we love how much we care for them. This can be in the form of a thoughtful gift, a romantic poem, or sharing some one-on-one time with each other. This got us thinking, Valentine’s is all about the heart so why not share a few of the best foods and drinks for a healthy heart?
You never know, they might even spark an idea for a heart healthy romantic meal.
9 Top Foods & Drinks for a Healthy Heart
Chocolate
The perfect gift this Valentines day and a great heart healthy addition to the menu.
You might have heard that chocolate, especially dark chocolate could be good for your health, in moderation of course. The great news here is, that there could be some truth to that. Cocoa and chocolate contain what is called ‘flavonols‘ which have a positive influence on vascular health.
It can help with decreasing blood pressure, increasing blood flow to the brain and heart and improve the function of your platelets (which help clot the blood).
Keep in mind though, not all chocolates are healthy. The more it is processed the less flavonols it has.
Green Tea
Green tea also has flavonoids in them, they actually work as antioxidants and can help prevent inflammation. There was a study back in 2012 that found that those who drank more than 5 cups of green tea a day had a 26% lower risk of death from heart attack or stroke.
While green tea may not be a favourite for some of us, there are many flavour variations out now that you can try and experiment with until you find one just right for you.
Don’t forget, we have the ideal potential gift to go along with this, the Uccello Kettle. The perfect gift for those with limited strength and mobility. It’s stylish, easy to use and easy to wrap.
Fish
There are numerous benefits to eating more fish these days. By swapping out the steak this valentines for salmon you can help reduce the demand for farmed livestock and reduce greenhouse gases. Of course, in order to truly help in this you would need to swap out meat for fish 2-3 times a week.
Not to worry though, eating fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, herring and trout 2-3 time a week has its health benefits too. Fatty fish are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids which have been proven to help:
- Decrease abnormal heartbeats
- Decrease your triglyceride levels
- Slow down the growth of plaque
- Lower blood pressure
Soy Milk
I have always been a fan of a milky brew and to know that there is a heart healthy option out there is a bonus. There are studies that suggest soy protein supplements can help with lowering your blood pressure.
Soy, rice and almond milk are all great healthy milk substitutes. They are low in fat, rich in calcium as well as vitamins A & D. That’s a win in my book.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a humble fruit, they can be used in so many dishes and come packed with antioxidants. In fact, the antioxidant they have is called ‘Lycopene’ which is what gives them their red colour.
Many studies have shows that there is a connection between higher blood lycopene and reduced risk of stroke and heart attack. They are also an excellent source of:
- Beta-carotene – can help lower overall heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular risks.
- Potassium – can help lower blood pressure.
- Folate – can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Vitamin C – can help lower heart disease risk factors, including high blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Vitamin E – can help reduce the risk of heart attacks.
- Flavonoids – can help decrease blood pressure and increase blood flow.
Bananas
One simple trick for a heart healthy diet is to have it low in sodium (salt) and high in potassium and fiber. This is why bananas are an excellent choice.
Bananas are a great source of vitamin B6, which helps break down a particular amino acid that can be harmful in high levels. Why not mix things up with chocolate covered bananas this Valentine’s day? That’s 2 of the 9 heart healthy foods in one!
Yoghurt
There is more to yoghurt than just helping to prevent osteoporosis and maintaining a healthy digestive system. There have been numerous studies on the benefits of yoghurt and how eating half a cup each day could help prevent the thickening of arteries which in turn could reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Leafy Greens
At every meal, half your plate should be taken up by fruit or vegetables. This isn’t just for heart health, it is for your overall health as they are jam packed with vitamins and nutrients.
Try adding a little more spinach, kale and other leafy greens to the plate. With benefits such as vitamins A, C and K, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and calcium, you can’t go wrong. Perhaps, a salmon steak on a bed of leafy greens and glass of wine this Valentine’s day could be perfect.
Apples
An apple a day keeps heart disease away right?
Exactly, apples have a number of cardiovascular benefits, such as helping to lower cholesterol and lowering blood pressure. Not to mention, they are also a good way to help regulate blood sugar, make you feel full for longer and can help protect against certain types of cancer.
What ever you plans are this Valentine’s Day, we hope you enjoy them and have fun!
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