The prevalence of cardiovascular conditions is increasing day by day, and more people are dying from them. One of the key risks for developing a cardiovascular disease is clogged arteries.
Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body. Healthy arteries are flexible, strong, elastic and free from any deposits.
But when fat, cholesterol and other substances build up in the arteries, they can become clogged and eventually narrow and harden. This condition, which results in reduced blood flow through the arteries, is called atherosclerosis.
Clogged arteries do not occur overnight. The blockage develops over time. Diet and lifestyle choices play a key role in the development of this condition.
The good news is that eating healthy can help prevent clogged arteries and related health issues.
Here are the top 12 foods that you should eat daily for clean arteries.
1. GARLIC
Another healthy food to cleanse your arteries naturally is garlic.
Garlic is rich in antioxidants that help inhibit the action of free radicals, making it an essential ingredient in preventing heart problems and blocked arteries.
Regular intake of garlic reduces the level of LDL cholesterol in your blood. It also widens blood vessels, improves blood circulation and helps prevent hardening of the aorta.
A 2016 study published in the Journal of Nutrition reports that aged garlic extract aids in reducing coronary plaque volume in patients with metabolic syndrome.
- Eat 1 to 2 cloves of raw garlic on an empty stomach each morning.
- You can also include garlic in soups, stews, casseroles and salad dressings.
2. POMEGRANATES
Pomegranates contain a high level of antioxidants that help fight free radicals in the body. They also aid in reducing fatty deposits in the arteries, thus helping prevent serious problems like atherosclerosis.
This fruit also stimulates the body’s production of nitric oxide, which helps keep your arteries open and your blood flowing. This prevents plaque buildup and blood clots in the arteries.
A 2004 study published in Clinical Nutrition reports that patients with carotid artery stenosis who drank pomegranate juice for three years saw reduced common carotid intima-media thickness, blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation.
A 2013 study published in Atherosclerosis notes that pomegranate extract has atheroprotective effects that appear to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the vessel walls.
- Eat 1 to 2 fresh pomegranates daily.
- You can also drink a glass of freshly extracted pomegranate juice once daily.
3. GREEN TEA
Green tea – especially nutrient-rich Matcha green tea – contains high levels of catechins, antioxidant plant phenols which hinder the absorption of cholesterol during digestion. Enjoy a cup or two of green tea every day to improve your blood-lipid levels and help reduce arterial blockage. Green tea also provides a natural boost to the metabolism which can help you to lose weight, further bolstering your cardiovascular health.
4. SPINACH
This tasty and nutritious green leafy vegetable has many health benefits, including heart health.
Spinach is a rich source of nitric oxide, which makes arteries resist contraction, plaque and blood coagulation, which in turn reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
A 2015 study published in Clinical Nutrition Research reports that 7-day consumption of spinach as an inorganic nitrate source in a vegetable can help reduce postprandial arterial stiffness.
In addition, its high content of vitamins A and C helps prevent bad cholesterol from adhering to the arterial walls and thus reduces your risk of atherosclerosis.
Spinach is also high in potassium and folic acid, both of which are main lines of defense against high cholesterol and blood pressure.
Eat at least ½ cup of spinach daily. You can enjoy this green vegetable in salads, soups, vegetable juice or in a green smoothie.
5. ASPARAGUS
Asparagus is a natural artery-clearing food. It can lower blood pressure and prevent blood clots.
The B vitamins, especially B6, in asparagus help lower homocysteine (an amino acid linked to heart disease) and C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) levels.
A 2005 study published in Circulation reports that elevated homocysteine levels indicate an increased risk of CAD and blood clots in the arteries and veins. To lower the elevated levels, vegetables like asparagus are helpful due to the high folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 content.
It also stimulates the body’s production of glutathione, an antioxidant that helps fight inflammation and prevent damaging oxidation that can lead to clogged or blocked arteries. Plus, the vitamin K in asparagus prevents hardening of the arteries and keeps calcium out of the arterial linings.
Eat this tasty vegetable on a regular basis as much as possible. You can eat it as an appetizer or side dish.
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