Author: Marko Balašević
Time for reading: ~2
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
Nuts, dark chocolate, red wine and more. Why are they good for the heart and when?
Its aroma makes it unfit for consumption, but there are always convenient moments when we can afford it. Garlic can be called a super food because of the ingredients it contains, which strengthens the immune system against infections . In addition, new research shows that garlic helps stop the formation of fatty plaques in the arteries at their earliest stage. It de facto prevents the "sticking" of cholesterol to the arterial walls. This prevents the formation of blood clots and lowers blood pressure . Researchers recommend at least 2 cloves of garlic a day to achieve a similar complementary effect. So don't exclude it from your tarator or "Snow White" salad at least.
Consumption of 40 grams of nuts a day for a month lowers total cholesterol by 1.55% and bad LDL by 9.3% according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition . One of the most useful nuts is cashews.
Nuts are definitely good for the heart, but when consumed they should not be forgotten that they are very high in calories. It is not recommended to exceed this portion of 40 grams on average per day. You can consume up to 100 g per day, but every other day or two.
Black tea is usually avoided when prone to high blood pressure. But in addition to being rich in antioxidants that work against cancer cells , they help reduce blood fat by up to 10% when consumed daily in just 3 weeks, according to a US study funded by the US Department of Agriculture.
The grape varieties used to produce red wine are especially rich in fiber, which has a powerful effect on lowering blood cholesterol levels. A study by the University of Complutense de Madrid in Spain found a drop in LDL between 9 - 12% when taking dietary supplements with an extract of these types of grapes. Of course, in order for the wine to be useful, it should not be taken in more than a moderate amount: 2 glasses for men, one for women no more than 2 times a week ...
Dark chocolate helps to increase the level of good HDL cholesterol in the blood. The antioxidants in cocoa cause a 24% jump in its level when consumed for 12 weeks, according to a 2007 study published in the AJCN . However, chocolate with over 75% cocoa content is good for health. This chocolate contains 3 times more antioxidants than its milk version. The antioxidants in it prevent blood cells from sticking together, which prevents blood from clotting and thrombosis.