Foods To Clear Clogged Arteries
Atherosclerosis (the buildup of fatty deposits along artery walls) is a leading driver of heart disease worldwide, affecting 50% of adults aged 45 and above. The good news? Your plate may be one of your most powerful tools against it. Here are some of the best foods that helps clear arteries.
Foods To Clear Clogged Arteries
Atherosclerosis (the buildup of fatty deposits along artery walls) is a leading driver of heart disease worldwide, affecting 50% of adults aged 45 and above. The good news? Your plate may be one of your most powerful tools against it. Here are some of the best foods that helps clear arteries.
Berries
Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, and blackberries are packed with flavonoid antioxidants, including polyphenols, which support heart health. Research shows that eating berries can significantly reduce key atherosclerosis risk factors, including elevated LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
Legumes
Beans are an excellent way to manage cholesterol levels, and studies have demonstrated they can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol. Their cardioprotective effects also include lowering blood pressure, reducing triglycerides, and decreasing inflammation.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower have been associated with a decreased risk of atherosclerosis. Research has also linked cruciferous vegetable intake to reduced arterial calcification and a lower risk of death from atherosclerosis-related disease.
Leafy Greens
Greens like kale, spinach, arugula, and Swiss chard are good sources of dietary nitrates, which help improve blood vessel function and reduce inflammation. They're also rich in potassium, which helps prevent vascular calcification. One review found that eating just one daily serving of leafy greens was linked to a 12–18% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke.
Beetroot
Beets are rich in nitrates, which the body converts to nitric oxide. Eating nitrate-rich foods like beets may help improve blood vessel function and decrease inflammation, potentially helping to prevent atherosclerosis.
Flax Seeds
Flax seeds contain a compound called SDG, which has anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties that work against atherosclerosis and may protect against heart attack and stroke.
Onions
Onions contain sulfur compounds that may help prevent blood vessel inflammation, inhibit platelet clumping, and increase the availability of nitric oxide (which helps widen the arteries)
Oats
Oats contain antioxidants called avenanthramides, which may inhibit inflammatory proteins and help prevent atherosclerosis. Regular oat fiber consumption has also been linked to lower LDL cholesterol and inflammatory markers in people with coronary artery disease.
Sources:
Healthline: 15 Foods That May Help Prevent Clogged Arteries
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