Best Foods for Heart Health and Circulation

The heart is a vital body organ. Together with a wide network of blood vessels, they work to facilitate the transfer of Oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body through the flow of blood. Any issues with the heart or circulation will therefore highly compromise your health. It is therefore crucial that you pay attention to what you eat as it has a great impact on how well your blood flows. The following are some of the best foods for improving heart health and circulation.

Beets

Beetroots are gotten from the root part of the beet plant. Hence, they are highly rich in nitrates. When this compound is introduced into the body, it is taken through a series of reactions that transform it into nitric oxide. This is then synthesized by the body to help relax your blood vessels and increase blood flow. Drinking a few ounces of beet juice a day can also lead to a significant decrease in blood pressure.

Berries

Another effective way of increasing blood flow is through berries like strawberries and blueberries. They usually possess a beautiful appearance consisting of purple to red hues. The compound that is responsible for this is known as anthocyanin. In addition to giving them color, it also offers antioxidant properties when ingested. 

This plays a role in preventing inflammation or stiffening which may damage blood vessels and increase blood pressure.

Pomegranate

Pomegranates are like juicy balls of sweetness that are a great treat. They can also be taken in juice or supplement form. Filled with antioxidant nutrients like tannins, anthocyanins, and polyphenols that offer a variety of health benefits that also apply to the heart. One of them is that they help to improve blood flow by promoting vasodilation.

Fatty Fish

Delicious meals can be made from fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel among others. Additionally, they can have great benefits for your heart health and circulation. This is because while still maintaining low levels of saturated fat, they are also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. This is essential for preventing heart disease as it helps to stabilize blood pressure and reduce the risk of clogged arteries. If you do not like fish, you do not have to worry as omega-3 supplements are also available.

Spinach

Leafy vegetables are a go-to when you are looking to lead a healthier lifestyle. More specifically, adding spinach to your diet will guarantee you healthier blood circulation. This is due to the rich nitrate content that is found in the vegetable. The nitric oxide gotten from this dilates the blood vessels and allows blood to flow more easily.

Cayenne

Spices and herbs also possess their fair share of heart benefits. Among them is the cayenne pepper which is known for the nice spicy flavor that it adds to food. Capsaicin, the same chemical that is responsible for this flavor is also a source of nitric oxide. This is a vasodilator that expands the blood vessels to improve blood circulation and lower blood pressure.

Conclusion

If you are not keen on your heart health, you risk getting unpleasant effects such as digestive issues, pain, reduced performance, and serious heart diseases. To avoid this, you should consider incorporating the above foods into your diet so as to achieve a healthy heart and circulation.