The importance of fruits in our day to day diet cannot be overemphasized. Our heart especially needs all the nutrients and vitamins it can get to keep it functioning effectively.
You require a diet loaded with vitamins and minerals to keep your heart healthy. Fruits are not only loaded with vitamins and minerals but they also promote antioxidants in the body. Some fruits also contain the required nutrients to keep blood circulating in the body working perfectly.
We have previously written an article revealing the best foods to eat for a healthy heart. This article focuses on ten good fruits which will keep your heart healthy always
Heart Healthy Fruits
Here are 10 Heart Healthy Fruits you should go for, to keep your heart in tip-top shape
1. Avocados
A research done by The Pennsylvania State University shows that eating an Avocado a day could reduce LDL cholesterol. Avocados contain Vitamins, dietary fibers, and folates which all work together to keep the heart in a good posture.
They also contain the almighty “Omega-3 fatty acids” which serves as a heart-friendly fat. All these make Avocados standout as a heart-healthy fruit.
2. Apples
Trust you remember the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. That’s because Apples are naturally rich in fiber, which helps lower blood cholesterol and improves blood circulation to the heart. Apples also consist of polyphenols which make them a premium heart-healthy fruit
3. Berries
Asides from being a great topping on your ice cream, berries are loaded with vitamins and minerals. These serve to regulate your total body health.
Blackberries, Blueberries, and Raspberries are popular berries that are naturally high in fiber. Just like Apples, they are rich in polyphenols and help lower the risk of heart diseases.
4. Peaches
Well… they may not be your everyday fruit but are a peculiar kind of heart healthy fruits. They contain bioactive compounds that naturally reduces the risk of heart problems. Like all other high-fiber foods they help keep your cholesterol levels in a good state.
5. Bananas
Bananas are naturally high in fiber which helps to lower LDL cholesterol. The potassium in bananas also helps to regulate our heartbeat and blood pressure.
6. Cantaloupe
Like Bananas, these fruits are high in potassium and fiber. Thus, they help to reduce bad cholesterol and maintain a proper heartbeat.
7. Kiwis
These unique tropical fruits have a lot to contribute to our heart health. They are high in bioactive substances, which helps to lower blood pressure.
A regular diet on these high fiber foods will naturally reduce the chances of cardiovascular diseases.
8. Papaya
Popularly called “pawpaw” in Nigeria, this fruit is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. The Papaya helps to lower blood cholesterol and enable free flow of blood through the arteries.
9. Walnuts
Although many might push them under the category of vegetables, walnuts still fall under fruits. Walnuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which as described earlier are a great heart protector.
10. Almonds
A diet rich with almonds serves to:
- Increase the amount of antioxidants in the blood
- Reduce blood pressure
- Improve blood flow
Almonds are also naturally high in unsaturated fats. These are healthy fats which further helps improve sleep and maintain proper heart function.
Conclusion
So we just had a look at 10 best Heart Healthy Fruits. There are still many other fruits like Oranges, Apricots, Grapefruit, etc. However, what matters most is your ability to utilize this knowledge.
Now that you know how these fruits can help your heart’s health, how do you plan on taking advantage of them? What new diet plan are you thinking of? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section
