Red foods are considered to be nutritional powerhouses since they are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants that play a vital role in keeping your heart healthy.
Here are five red super foods that should definitely be a part of your Diet:
Apples contain pectin and phytonutrients which are believed to lower triglyceride (fats) deposits while increasing good cholesterol levels. This minimizes the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Red apples are also rich in fiber, which helps keep hunger pangs at bay-good news for people looking to shed a few pounds.
Beets are recommended to people with high blood pressure as they are packed with nitrates which help in regulating blood pressure and cholesterol, tow of the highest risk factors for cardiovascular patients. Drinking a glass of unprocessed beet juice every morning is particularly beneficial for hypertensive patients.
The presence of folate and iron make beets a stable for expectant mothers as the chances of birth defects and low levels of hemoglobin (which causes aneamia) are reduced.
Bell papers are a good source of capsicin, which is why people with a family history of heart disease should ensure its regular intake.
Furthermore, bell peppers contain carotenoid, an anti-inflammatory agent, which some research studies have revealed to be helpful in relieving joint stiffness and muscle fatigue, common problems suffered by people with bone and joint diseases.
Raspberries are high in manganese, a mineral often believed to be helpful in reducing arterial inflammation, one of the most common causes of chest pain, angina and heart attacks. This is why an increasing number of nutritionists are now recommending a raspberry-rich diet for heart patients. If that wasn’t reason enough to pop a few raspberries, a lesser-known fact is that the presence of flavonoids boosts memory and cognitive functions.
Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene which not only gives them their red colour but lowers bad cholesterol and regulates blood pressure. A tomato-based diet is recommended if you are at risk of, or suffering from, cardiovascular disease, while the presence of vitamin A delays the onset of age-related macular degeneration.
By Rubiya Naveed