For Santa Monica residents, spending time in the gyms and eating a healthy diet is the combination that is leading to better bodies and longer lives. That is especially true for those who have a history of heart problems in their family trees. Here are three foods that can help control your cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, and lower blood pressure, all of which directly impact your heart health.
Leafy Green Vegetables
There’s no denying the value of veggies like collard greens, kale, and spinach. If you are about to hit one of the gyms in Santa Monica for a morning workout, using these as central ingredients in smoothies can be hugely beneficial. These sorts of foods have high levels of vitamin K, which promotes proper blood clotting and protects your arteries. They also contain dietary nitrates, which improve the function of cells lining the blood vessels and decrease arterial stiffness. They’re also incredibly versatile. There are dishes for any meal of the day into which you can incorporate them.
Garlic
Good news for garlic fans: these pungent cloves can do more for you than add some zing to your chicken parm. It contains the compound allicin, which has many therapeutic effects. It also reduces high blood pressure as well as the leading medications prescribed for the purpose. It inhibits platelet build up as well, which reduces the risk of strokes and blood clots.
Olive Oil
Another ingredient with many uses in the kitchen, olive oil is another heart health superfood. It has a ton of antioxidants, which decrease the risk of chronic disease and inflammation. It also contains monounsaturated fats, which are widely believed to improve heart health. Even better, those who ingest more olive oil as part of their diet have lower diastolic and systolic blood pressure.
The eating of these foods combined with regular workouts at Santa Monica gyms is just the ticket for those who are worried about heart health as they progress further into adulthood. Staying active and being mindful of one’s diet can take you far in life, literally. The best part is, these are all foods that are tasty and that perhaps you are already eating regularly.
