How You Can Take Better Care of Your Heart
By Sara Butler
Your heart is very important. Humanity hasn’t quite found a way to live without a heart yet (though according to the news, some people are giving it an honest go), so you only get one in this life – which means you need to take care of it. There are some very simple ways you can boost your heart health that also happen to be good for your overall health, too!
Eat More Berries
No one said this was going to be easy, so you just need to resign yourself now to the fact that you’re going to have to eat more strawberries and blueberries to take care of your heart. Researchers published in the journal Circulation that these berries lower your risk of a heart attack. So, munch away on these tasty fruits – for your heart health, of course. Certainly not because it’s enjoyable.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
It’s unfortunate that body fat isn’t good for you, isn’t it? Well, the fact of the matter is that fat – especially fat around the waist – is bad for the ticker. If you can reduce the circumference of your waist by two inches, then you can reduce your risk of developing heart disease. It’s worth a shot!
Get More Whole Grains
According to the American Heart Association, diets that are high in whole grains lower your risk of developing heart disease. Whole grains are grains that are unprocessed, so think quinoa, faro, and wild rice – and add some to your diet!
Use Herbs (and Spices!)
Salt is terrible for your cardiovascular system, so if you can cut down on salt in your cooking, then you are on your way to a healthier heart. A great way to reduce salt intake without sacrificing flavor is to use herbs and spices in place of salt. Plus, herbs and spices often contain antioxidants that happen to be healthy for your heart.
Have Some Chocolate
This is right up there with the berry eating in terms of difficulty, but you’ll get through. Now, eating more chocolate doesn’t mean you should reach for a candy bar at every opportunity. What it does mean is that enjoying dark chocolate high in cocoa but low in sugar can make a difference in the health of your heart. So feel free to regularly break off a chunk and chow down.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.