Heart Health: Foods To Lower Cholesterol And Prevent Heart Disease | HuffPost Life

Foods That Are Good For Your Heart

The Huffington Post UK

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Lingonberries are the latest in a long line of food and drink to be famed for their benefits to heart health.

According to a report in The Daily Mail, the Finnish superfood has been linked to lower blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart attack.

But with the superfood not readily available in supermarkets in the UK (but if you really want to find them, try Ikea) HuffPost UK Lifestyle wanted to highlight some other heart-friendly food.

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Top 10 Foods To Boost Your Heart

Vegetable oil(01 of10)

Linoleic acid is essential to keep your heart healthy, so try to consume between two to four teaspoons a day. (credit:Getty Images)

Tomatoes(02 of10)

Tomatoes are great for brightening the skin but more importantly, the food also acts as a blood purifier. It also contains lots of Vitamin K, which helps to prevent hemorrhages. (credit:Alamy)

Oats(03 of10)

Oats contain a soluble fibre called beta glucan, which helps bring down cholesterol levels, particularly LDL which is the worst type of cholesterol. (credit:Alamy)

Avocado(04 of10)

It's packed with the 'good' type of fat - monounsaturated - and lowers LDL levels (bad cholesterol that increases the risk of heart disease) while raising HDL cholesterol levels in your body. HDL cholesterol prevents your arteries from getting clogged. (credit:Alamy)

Soy(05 of10)

Edamame is the yummiest form of soy, and it's a great source of protein to replace red meat which can be high in bad cholesterol and saturated fat. (credit:Alamy)

Salmon(06 of10)

Omega 3-fatty acids are great for lowering blood pressure, reducing blood clotting and boosting your immunity. According to The Mayo Clinic, each one to two servings a week can reduce the risk of heart disease. (credit:Alamy)

Blueberries(07 of10)

All dark berries are good for the heart, but blueberries in particular can help widen arteries, which helps blood to flow smoothly, preventing blockages. (credit:Alamy)

Chickpeas(08 of10)

Chickpeas (as well as kidney beans) are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids - a good alternative to fish for vegetarians. (credit:Alamy)

Spinach(09 of10)

Rich in iron, spinach isn't just a good heart disease preventative, it can also help your recovery if you do have a heart attack. It contains a lot of nitrite which aids recovery. (credit:Alamy)

Almonds(10 of10)

Like olive oil, almonds are a good source of healthy fat and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Scatter some over your yogurt in the morning - do not eat the whole bag! (credit:Alamy)

We also spoke to Dr Hilary Jones, chief advisor at HealthExpress, specifically about male heart disease: "Men think that heart health is all about heart attacks. After all, these are the commonest cause of death and disability, especially in men over 50 with recognised risk factors being smoking, obesity, diabetes, lack of exercise, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a strong family history in parents who had heart disease at a young age.

"But even younger men can be at risk of different types of heart disease, such as cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart muscle), congenital valvular disease and viral infections to name just three."

See Also:
How To Prevent Heart Disease With Cardio Fitness And Healthy Diet
Could These Signs Of Ageing Signal Heart Disease?

He added: "All men, whatever their age, should enjoy a healthy lifestyle with plenty of regular exercise, a well-balanced diet low in saturated fat and avoid smoking. Regular check-ups for blood pressure and cholesterol and the maintenance of a healthy weight are also highly recommended."

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food health cholesterol ligonberries Health heart health

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