5 heart health products that will surprise you

Almonds, salmon, dark chocolate , red wine – well known that all these products are good for the heart. The last two, of course, in moderation. But if you thought that the story of the “heart diet” was limited to this, then you thought wrong. Because nutrition with an emphasis on cardiovascular health can be much more exciting.

In this material we will show five unexpected (and very tasty!) products, which, as studies show, can also support the work of the heart. But which, however, rarely speak.

Steak

Red meat has a bad reputation (a) in the world of proper nutrition, however, in small quantities, this meat can be not only safe, but quite healthy. Just because the product is an excellent source of protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and some other nutrients. And although some of the fat in the meat is saturated, beef is also a source of monounsaturated fat – the very heart-oriented fat that nutritionists advise us to get from olive oil. Moreover, the monounsaturated fat in beef is more than saturated. And this is also worth considering.

Coffee

Contrary to popular belief that coffee hurts the heart (did you hear the joke that those who drink a lot of coffee come without knocking?), research show that people who cannot live caffeine a day, as a rule, have less risk of heart disease. Thus, it was shown that regular consumption of coffee reduces inflammation in the body, while increasing the level of “good” cholesterol. And although caffeine can actually temporarily increase your heart rate, it does not provoke irregular heartbeats or arrhythmias. In addition, coffee is rich in antioxidants that can protect the heart.

Fat

Incredible? And yet. Dietary recommendations regarding the consumption of a particular type of oil . But fat, let’s be fair, surprises – and how. The reputation of fat as a product that clogs arteries, by the way, has long been questioned. In fact, fat contains 33% less saturated fat, twice as much healthy monounsaturated fat, and three times as much as omega-3 , than oil. Lafhak from culinary specialists: it is also the secret of a tender and crisp pie without harmful trans fat .

Beer

When it comes to heart health, we are constantly being told about the benefits of red wine. But is wine only capable of that? Not only. Not so long ago, scientists have found that a daily dose of craft beer in terms of reducing risks as effective as a glass of merlot. Researchers can not yet say exactly what this explains: perhaps the content of polyphenols in wine and beer, but, perhaps, the actual alcohol. In any case, research on the topic is still underway. In the meantime, scientists warn that the health benefits of alcohol are the question very, very debatable . So if you do not want to abandon it completely, it is absolutely necessary to observe moderation here.

Potatoes

Tired of the fact that no dietary plan includes potatoes? Here’s the good news: research shows that for a healthy person, increasing potassium intake can fully compensate for the negative effects of sodium on the heart. And although we can get potassium from a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, potatoes is one of its best sources. Moreover, one study showed that a daily serving of potatoes can lower blood pressure, having a positive effect on overall health. Sounds, you see, not bad.