FOOD for the HEART



The human heart is an interesting masterpiece. Apart from beating about 100,000 times a day, and sending 2,000 gallons of blood surging through the body, the heart which is no bigger than your fist in size, does this mighty job of keeping blood flowing through the 60,000 miles of blood vessels that feed your organs and tissues unceasingly, and without stopping, from birth to death, without tiring, as long as it is maintained in good health.
Keeping the heart in good shape should be a 'do or die affair' although this may sound too demanding but it's worth the exercise for such an hardworking organ.

The heart is kept healthy by:
- eating nourishing and invigorating heart-healthy food daily;
- drinking lots of water daily;
- performing physical exercise for at least 40 minutes three times a week;
- avoiding tobacco or cigarette.

Food and vegetables must be the base of a heart-healthy diet, as numerous studies carried out around the world have demonstrated, particularly the one done at Forvie Site University at Cambridge(UK).
Also noteworthy is that a diet based on fruits, oil-bearing nuts, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains simply prepared gives the best results for heart attack prevention.

Nutritionists advise that an heart-healthy diet should look like this:
1. Eat at least five portions of fresh fruits a day.
2. Eat at least one fresh vegetable salad a day dressed with olive or seed oil and lemon.
3. Eat a minimum of two or three portions of legumes a week.
4. Eat whole-grain bread and pasta instead of while bread and refined pasta.
5. Reduce salt and sugar intake.
So without further ado, let's see those specially designed food for the heart.


 SOURSOP
This is the largest of the annonas, reaching up to two kilos in weight. The soursop is astringent, cholagogic(promotes bile discharge), and promotes digestion. It is recommended in cases of constipation, obesity, hypertension, coronary disease, and diabetes. Among the so many nutrients present in the fruit, the vitamin B group are the most predominant. The most common causes of heart failure or "tired heart" are lesions in the heart valves, arterial hypertension, or narrowing of the coronary arteries, and lack of B group vitamins can also aggravate heart failure. Additionally, the soursop contains vegetable fiber, are diuretic, rich in potassium, and very low in sodium and fat,which meets the requisites of a heart-healthy food.


 PEAS
They have everything necessary to be a heart-healthy food. In addition, they contain practically no fat or sodium, two substances that are antagonistic to coronary health if consumed in excess. Raw peas contain 78-90% water, and when they are tender they can be eaten raw. Eating peas with corn makes a great nutritious duo!.






BANANA
After the apple, the banana is the most consumed fruit in the world. The fact that it is on tables on the five continents may be due to its ease of use. A banana can be eaten anywhere without need for a napkin or a knife. It even comes wrapped in its own natural hygienic "packaging"- its peel that protects it from contamination. But more than anything, the banana is one of the most nutritious and medicinal fruits that exist. Bananas stand out for their vitamin B6 content. About three medium-sized bananas provide the recommended daily allowance of this vitamin for an adult male. The vegetable fibre contained in banana help is lowering lipid and cholesterol in the blood and also has intestinal soothing effects.


 GRAPES
They invigorate the heart and improve blood flow. They are after the orange, the most cultivated fruit in the world. Grapes are protectors of the cardiovascular system.  Those recovering from heart attack  should include grapes in their diet to stop the progress of coronary arteriosclerosis (blockage of the arteries). Grapes contain very powerful antioxidants, which not only impede the oxidation of the cholesterol that causes arteriosclerosis, but also help avoid the formation of blood clots in the arteries. These essential qualities of grapes also account for the reason why red wine is also good for the heart except for the little drawbacks from the alcohol present.

In essence, the heart can be an amazing and never disappointing piece of design if kept in good shape. So start out today to appreciate that little biological "pumping machine" by giving it the best!


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