Want to Age Better? Don’t Ignore Your Heart Health
Having in-home caregiving enables many to age in place longer before needing care in a facility. And don’t most of us prefer staying in our own places as long as possible? The healthier we are, the better chance we have of being able to do just that. One of the many ways we can stay healthy is to eat foods that are good for our hearts. Here’s some tasty suggestions.
New research shows that incorporating apples, cranberries and tomatoes into your diet can reduce the risk of heart disease by 40%. Adjusting your diet is always the first step when dealing with the two biggest risk factors for heart disease – high cholesterol and high blood pressure – can have a tremendous positive impact on heart health!
An apple a day can reduce LDL [bad] cholesterol levels by as much as 40% according to a new study by Ohio State University. The peel is antioxidant rich. An Iowa Women’s Health Study found a link between eating an apple a day and a lowered risk of dying from heart disease. Studies also found that eating apples daily appeared to lower two other markers associated with plaque and inflammation in artery walls.
Tomatoes are a lycopene-rich food that can reduce the risk of coronary disease by 26% when eaten over 5 times a week, a new study by Tufts University shows. Contrary to popular belief, tomatoes do not have to be a deep red color to be an outstanding source of lycopene, a carotenoid pigment that has long been associated with the deep red color of tomatoes. A small preliminary study on healthy men and women has shown that the lycopene from orange- and tangerine-colored tomatoes may actually be better absorbed than the lycopene from red tomatoes.
But let us not forget the humble cranberry. In addition to heart disease benefits, studies have shown that cranberries can help prevent urinary tract infections and may reduce the risk of gum disease, stomach ulcers, and cancer. A study at the University of Scranton showed that drinking three cups of cranberry juice can raise HDL [good] cholesterol levels by up to 40%. In some cases it showed a reduction in diet-caused arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.
Visit your primary care physician for more information and to discuss your specific diet needs.
Here in the Raleigh area, the NC State Farmers Market always has wonderful tomatoes in season in the summer. By August, there are probably a dozen different varieties of apples for sale from different farms across the state. I’ve tried to taste every different apple type each year. Some are tart, sweet, crisp, large, small, and each has a unique flavor. When you go and sample them, you can find one you like too!
Thank you for sharing this very useful information about heart health. As a person with heart disease it is nice to know that so many delicious foods can help in my fight to control my condition. This is the first time I ever heard of apples aiding in the fight to promote heart health and maintenance. I will definitely make sure I eat an apple a day!