Flannerys
heart week

05.05.2017

Heart Week April 30 – May 6

They say “the kitchen is the heart of the home” and it could also be said that the kitchen is the home of heart health. The foods we fill our kitchens with ultimately end up in our digestive system, affecting our overall well-being, including heart health.  As this week is the Heart Foundation’s Heart Week, we’re sharing some of our favourite heart-friendly foods to fall in love with…

Probiotics

We tend to think of probiotics for gut health, but they provide plenty of benefits for heart health too. Probiotic-rich foods, such as kefir, yoghurt and kombucha, help to nourish our digestive system, which may help reduce bad cholesterol and inflammation around our heart.

Turmeric

Turmeric not only adds a beautiful golden colour; it contains anti-inflammatory properties as well. Try grating some turmeric into smoothies or pasta sauces, or swap processed salt for turmeric. This adds a delicious spicy flavour whilst also working towards improving blood pressure.

Nuts

Nuts contain essential fats that help reduce bad cholesterol. Swap the salty bag of chips for nuts as an easy afternoon snack to take to work or school. They also help keep you full for longer and will nourish your heart health with its omega-3s.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a big part of the Mediterranean diet, which is praised for its positive effects on heart health. Olive oil may help reduce bad cholesterol and adding it to some foods, such as cooked tomatoes, can help our bodies absorb nutrients efficiently.

Share this post with your friends

Related Articles