Avoid these 12 food items to ensure a healthy heart.

 

Heart diseases have been on the rise in the past few years. If you are conscious about the health of your heart, the following 12 food items should not make it to your table very often.

1. Processed and Cured meats:

These kinds of meat have high levels of saturated fat that tends to increase the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) i.e. the bad cholesterol and lower the good kind. These food items tend to be high in salt too, which can elevate blood pressure. The preservatives present in these foods can also increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

2. Energy drinks:

Other than the high amount of sugar, caffeine is also present in energy drinks which makes them unsuitable for the heart. Both sugar and caffeine, raise the blood pressure levels which in turn may lead to cardiac conditions like abnormal heart rhythm and even heart attack.

3. Candy:

This is another dietary choice that is extremely dangerous for the heart as candy is nothing but food with high sugar content. When it is consumed too much, the risk of heart disease increases, and in extreme cases, even leading to heart attack, stroke, or even death. 

4. Margarine: 

Though margarine is considered as a substitute for butter, it tends to increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL) i.e., the bad cholesterol, and decrease high-density lipoprotein (HDL), i.e. the good cholesterol. This in turn increases heart disease risk by making the blood platelets sticky.

5. Meat-lovers Pizza:

The pizza contains all of the ingredients that lead to heart disease. The sodium, fat, carb from the sauce, meat, dough, cheese harms the heart. Opting for thin wheat crust along with some vegetables could be a healthier option.

6. Soda and Diet Soda:

Sugar in Soda can lead to inflammation, which in turn cause cardiovascular disease. As against the common assumption, Diet sodas are not completely sugar-free and fat-free. These sodas can cause obesity and diabetes that are the risk factors for heart disease. They may also cause damage to the gastrointestinal bacteria and walls of the arteries.  

7. Instant noodles:

Usually, Instant noodles are deep-fried before packaging to increase their shelf life. Also, they contain high levels of sodium. Both the factors are recipe for a disaster to the heart.

8. Chinese food:

The main ingredient for Chinese food is refined carbs which have no nutritional value. In addition to that, salt, oil, flavour enhancers, etc. contribute to high blood pressure and obesity because of the presence of sodium and fat. This in turn makes the person more susceptible to heart diseases.

9. Potato and Corn chips:

Chips are high in saturated fats, calories and salt. Saturated fats (from the oil used for frying) contributes to high cholesterol level and salt in the chips increase the blood pressure that can lead to heart diseases. Baked potato chips, tortilla chips or vegetable chips could be the healthy alternatives.

10. Baked Goods:

Muffins, cakes, cookies are full of sugar, hidden saturated fats and hydrogenated shortenings. All these contribute to a rise in bad cholesterol, which intern can clog blood vessels and cause a heart attack or stroke.

11. Alcohol:

Excessive alcohol intake can increase fats (triglycerides) in the blood, increase blood pressure, heart failure or stroke. Binge drinking also causes heart muscle disease that can cause abnormal heart rhythms and even heart failure.

12. White rice, Bread, Pasta:

Refined grains are low in nutrients, fattening, and harmful,

Eating more than the required servings of increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Whole grains like brown rice, oats, and whole wheat are a good choice instead. 

 

Final thought:

The health of the heart must always come first. Always choose heart-friendly foods like vegetables and greens for the diet. Consume less f salt and oil and switch to a healthier lifestyle by exercising and avoiding tobacco, alcohol. 

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