When it comes to heart health, you should already know that eating healthy and avoiding junk food is a good start, but it can be more complicated than you think.
Many foods that you enjoy every day, even those that are healthy for you, may actually be doing a lot of damage to your heart. Therefore, it is always important to be aware of what to avoid and why you should avoid it.
We are always concerned that you know exactly what you need to have a happy and healthy heart, which is why we share the foods to avoid if you need to clear your arteries.
Foods to Eat to Avoid Clogged Arteries
8. Red Meat
Red meat, which refers to meat that is red in color when raw, such as beef or lamb, is not the best for your heart. One study found that people who eat red meat on a daily basis have high levels of trimethylamine N-oxide, a chemical linked to heart disease.
Other researchers have also found a connection between eating red meat regularly and the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
7. Canned Vegetables and Soups
Canned vegetables and canned soups seem like a convenient way to add more vegetables to your diet, but they usually contain a lot of added salt, especially if they come with sauce or broth.
Too much salt raises blood pressure, lowering the amount of oxygen reaching the heart, which can even lead to a heart attack.
Many of the preservatives used in these canned goods can be harmful, and a popular soup additive, monosodium glutamate, or MSG, has been linked to heart palpitations.
6. Frozen Meals
Frozen meals, especially TV dinners, are convenient, inexpensive, and generally low in calories. However, many frozen meals are high in sodium, which is often used to flavor foods as well as as a preservative.
People should get about 2,000 milligrams of sodium a day, but many frozen dinners can get half of that in a single meal.
5. Cured Meats
Cured meats, which have been preserved or flavored with added salt, such as mortadella or salami, are generally high in saturated fat and can increase your cholesterol levels, which, in excess, can cause your blood vessels to develop fat deposits and increase the risk for heart disease.
Although there are low-fat options, cured meats are generally not heart-healthy due to their high levels of salt.
4. Coffee Creamer
Coffee creamers often contain partially hydrogenated oils, a common source of trans fats that can increase cholesterol levels.
Generally, if you don’t like your coffee straight, milk is a healthier option. Adding plant-based milk is generally a good alternative to coffee creamer.
3. Baked Goods
In general, desserts should be enjoyed in moderation, but baked goods like cakes can be especially troublesome due to their trans fats.
One report found that there was a positive correlation between heart disease and trans fatty acids.
Many baked goods are flavored with sugar, which can stress the heart if eaten in excess. Sugar in food can also contain glucose 6-phosphate, which can reduce heart function to the point of causing heart failure.
2. Ice Cream
Ice cream generally contains high levels of cholesterol. Half a cup of vanilla ice cream contains more than 4 grams of saturated fat.
This is more than a quarter of what adults should eat in a day, and richer flavors can have even more.
1. Fried Foods
In general, fried foods are harmful to health because the frying process generates trans fats. A 4-ounce serving of fried chicken can have as much cholesterol as 11 strips of bacon.
By contrast, a grilled chicken breast can be a good source of protein in a diet to lose weight.
How do I know if my Arteries are Clogged?
You may have clogged arteries in your 20s. People experience all kinds of symptoms of blocked arteries, but there are some common ones.
People with clogged arteries can experience chest pains, commonly called angina.
Low back pain can be due to reduced blood flow in the back, which can even cause painful herniated discs. Studies even show that people with chronic back pain are more likely to clog arteries.
Clogged arteries can also cause shortness of breath, which can lead to discomfort and fatigue. According to a study, people with this symptom can suffer from high-risk heart disease.
Which of these foods do you usually eat? Do you know of a substitute that can keep your heart healthy? Let us know in the comments!
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