Heart Disease
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result there has been surge in the consumption of berry fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, gooseberries, strawberries, blackberries, cranberries, gojiberries and several others.
10.4 Broccoli – It might not be the sexiest food in the world but scientists agree that broccoli is one of the healthiest things you can eat. Broccoli belongs to brassica family which contains powerful cancer and disease fighting plant chemicals known as phytochemicals, like glucosinolates, sulforaphane (sulphur compounds), carotenoids and flavonoids. The fibre-rich wonder vegetable contains powerful antioxidant vitamins A and C, folic acid, vitamin K, B complex vitamins like B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin) and B6 (pyridoxine), potassium, calcium, selenium and iron. Broccoli increases immunity, gets rid of toxins, reduces blood cholesterol levels, controls cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, arthritis, acidity and can reverse signs of ageing.
10.5 Dark Green Leafy Vegetables – These are packed with nourishing vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals and are very good for your heart health. These contain high levels of iron, riboflavin, niacin, folate, vitamins B6, B12, C and K nutrients that help people against cancer and heart disease. Good sources include watercress, leaf lettuce, spinach, turnip/beet/radish leaves, mustard green, bathu, amaranth (chulai), kale, parsley, chard, broccoli, cabbage, fenugreek (methi). They also contain a lot of fibre which helps lower LDL cholesterol levels and aids elimination process.
10.6 Grapes – Antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and flavonoids in grapes especially red, boost immunity and keep cardio and cancer problems at bay. Vitamins and minerals in grapes include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, boron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron, phosphorus and selenium. Grapes protect the heart and blood vessels against oxidative tissue damage as they contain the disease-fighting antioxidant flavonoids (each tiny grape may hold more than 1,000 different flavonoids). The flavonoids compounds quercitin and resveratrol in the skin of red grapes appear to decrease the risk of heart diseases by (i) reducing platelet clumping and harmful blood clots and by (ii) protecting LDL bad cholesterol from free radicals damage that initiates LDL’s artery damaging action. A compound called pterostilbene reduces cholesterol and triglycerides. Grapes also boost bone health and aid in cancer and constipation.
10.7 Pomegranate – It is one of the earliest five domesticated crops along with olives, grapes, figs and dates. Pomegranate is known to be a popular super-food because it is packed with antioxidants including anthocyanins and ellagic acid, vitamins A, C, E and B-complex, minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, calcium, chlorine, copper and phosphorus. Modern studies have shown that just about 60 ml of pomegranate juice daily keeps the arteries clean and cholesterol levels healthy, reducing LDL (bad) and increasing good HDL cholesterol. As a result pomegranate juice has been found to slow down heart muscle damage and prevent heart attack and stroke risk. Pomegranates not only maintain a healthy heart but can even reverse plaque build up. This definitely is something that no drug available today is capable of. Pomegranates
