Diseases of the heart and blood vessels have been the most common cause of death in many countries of the world for more than a decade. Russia, unfortunately, is no exception to this list. That is why in this article we will acquaint you with the 10 most heart-healthy products that you can buy in any supermarket.
Their introduction into the diet will be a good measure for the prevention of many ailments, and their regular use will reduce the risk of developing ischemia and atherosclerosis - the most common causes of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Oily fish - no atherosclerosis

Statistics indicate an interesting fact - Eskimos very rarely suffer from pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Why? The answer to this question is simple: they regularly eat a lot of fatty fish. It contains well-known polyunsaturated acids - Omega-3. They are an excellent prophylactic against atherosclerosis - the culprit of many diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
Omega-3s are not synthesized in the body and therefore belong to the indispensable components that come to us only with food. Their effectiveness in the fight against strokes and coronary heart disease has been proven by many studies.
Omega-3s have the following actions:
- cardioprotective;
- normalizing lipid metabolism;
- improving the composition and microcirculation of blood;
- antiarrhythmic;
- antihypertensive;
- Disinfecting.
Cardiologists around the world prescribe Omega-3 in the form of drugs for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, hypertensive and coronary heart disease, strokes and other diseases of the heart and blood vessels. The main source of these acids in food is fish oil.
The leaders in the content of Omega-3 are the following types of fish:
- semga;
- sardines;
- herring;
- hamsa;
- smelt;
- salmon;
- тунец;
- макрель;
- скумбрия.
Doctors strongly recommend including fatty fish in the diet 2 times a week. Especially important is the sufficient consumption of foods with omega-3 for people with a predisposition to pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease. Even more benefits will bring omega-6 fatty acids, which are contained, for example, in the fat of Antarctic krill.
Grapefruit – glycosides for the heart and blood vessels
The composition of this citrus includes a whole complex of vitamins (C, P, A, D, B1 and B2), potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and other minerals, a large amount of plant fiber and glycosides. One fruit contains half the daily rate of vitamin C, which supports the vessels and protects them from the action of free radicals. And the glycosides in it prevent the development of atherosclerosis and contribute to the stabilization of activity and heart rhythm.
The use of one grapefruit per day contributes to:
- lowering cholesterol and triglycerides;
- prevention of arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis;
- the fight against excess weight;
- normalizes glucose metabolism and reduces the need for insulin.
Scientists suggest that grapefruits of red varieties are more useful for the heart. It is possible that it is in red fruits that substances that are still unknown to science that have a beneficial effect on the level of lipids in the blood are also useful. According to scientists, grapefruit fresh and fresh fruit are equally useful.
Avocado - piggy bank of potassium and Omega-3

In addition to omega-3, avocado contains a lot of potassium useful for the activity of the heart. In addition, these small fruits contain many other useful substances: vitamins C, PP, B6, B2 and E, folic acid, provitamin A, dietary fiber, magnesium, copper, phosphorus and many other mineral components.
Regular inclusion of avocado in the menu contributes to:
- prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases;
- reducing the level of "harmful" cholesterol;
- increase of stress resistance;
- lowering blood pressure;
- normalization of water-salt balance;
- improving blood composition;
- increased immunity.
Nutritionists and cardiologists recommend introducing this fruit into your diet in moderation, because its caloric content is very high. Despite this fact, avocado can be a good substitute for such heart-bad foods as mayonnaise and oil. Salads, pastes for sandwiches and sauces for dressing main courses and salads can be prepared from this fruit. Nutritionists advise buying only ripe avocado fruits, because immature contains much less useful substances.
Flaxseed Oil – An Affordable Source of Omega-3
The main value of flaxseed oil is the high content of omega-3. It is in this vegetable oil that the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids is the highest. Because of its significant caloric content, nutritionists recommend consuming this product in moderation - no more than 2 tablespoons per day.
According to experts, flaxseed oil is similar in strength to fish oil. Due to the high level of Omega-3, it prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, reduces the level of "harmful" cholesterol and prevents the formation and settling of blood clots in the lumen of blood vessels.
For the prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system, it is recommended to use refined flaxseed oil. It should have a greenish-yellow color, a mild smell and taste, be transparent, clean and without sediment. For treatment, flaxseed oil should be bought in pharmacies or well-established supermarkets, because its cosmetic analogues, fakes and surrogates can be harmful to health.
Garlic - a blow to hypertension
Numerous studies confirm that garlic is one of the best prophylactics against arterial hypertension, and its regular use helps to reduce blood pressure by 7-8%. Such an antihypertensive effect is contained in it hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide.
Regular consumption of garlic - about 1 clove per day - contributes to blood thinning. Improving its fluidity, garlic reduces the load on the vessels and prevents the formation of blood clots on their walls.
According to some scientists, the use of garlic can reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol, but a number of other experts refute this statement. However, this food product is able to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol by free radicals, which means that the risk of its settling on the vascular walls in the form of plaques can be significantly reduced. This means that garlic is a good means of preventing atherosclerosis, which plays its sad and significant role in the development of hypertensive pain. Ezni and many other pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
Whole grain cereals - a counterbalance to atherosclerosis
Cardiologists recommend that those suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system and healthy people replace such a familiar white bread with whole grain cereals. It is in these cultures that a large amount of fiber is contained, which slows down the absorption of "harmful" cholesterol that enters the body along with other foods.
In the process of processing, cereals lose most of their dietary fiber and that is why experts recommend eating them unprocessed. Indispensable support for the heart and blood vessels can be provided by such whole grain crops as barley, oats, corn, unpolished brown rice and millet. Their regular use will be an excellent prevention of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
Cocoa beans – a treat for the heart

Most scientists claim that bitter chocolate, containing at least 70% cocoa beans and a minimum amount of sugar, is good for the heart. This beloved food contains a large amount of polyphenols and flavonoids. Thanks to these substances, the use of dark chocolate leads to blood thinning and reducing the load on the myocardium, preventing blood clots, eliminating arterial hypertension, lowering cholesterol and slowing the hardening of the vascular walls. .
In addition to these heart-healthy properties, dark chocolate helps eliminate depression and reduces the stress hormone. These conditions are the cause of many cardiovascular diseases.
Experts recommend to observe moderation when using this high-calorie delicacy for the prevention of pathologies of the heart and blood vessels. No more than 20-30 g of dark chocolate should be eaten per day.
Berries are an inexhaustible source of nutrients for the heart and blood vessels
The season of fresh berries is short-lived in many countries, but after its end in supermarkets you can always buy frozen berries, in which all useful components are preserved by 90-95%. Many fruits are useful for the heart, but according to many experts, forest berries have a particularly beneficial effect on its work. They are an inexhaustible source of potassium, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, pectin, anthocyanins, magnesium and fiber.
Regular introduction into the diet of strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, blueberries, viburnum, raspberries, red and black currants helps to slow down the hardening of the coronary and other arteries, more rapid removal of "harmful" cholesterol and blood thinning. Their frequent use will be a good and pleasant measure for the prevention of coronary heart disease, arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis.
Mushrooms - a storehouse of antioxidants for the heart
According to many studies, most mushrooms that can be eaten contain the powerful antioxidant ergodianin. It is able to neutralize many free radicals and prevents the development of not only heart and vascular diseases, but also reduces the risk of cancerous tumors. Studies prove that the regular inclusion in your diet of mushroom dishes helps prevent many heart ailments.
Mushrooms, unlike meat, do not contain cholesterol and contain a lot of selenium, carbohydrates and fiber. This fact makes them an indispensable dish in the diet of people who need to prevent vascular and heart diseases.
In Russia, white mushrooms have always been considered heart healers. They include the alkaloid hercithin, used to treat coronary heart disease and its consequences. From them prepared tinctures that were used to treat the cores. This means that eating white mushrooms can be a good preventive measure to prevent the development of heart pathologies.
Red wine – an elixir of antioxidants and flavonoids for the heart

About the benefits and harms of red wine, medical disputes have been going on for a long time. Scientists were able to isolate about 600 substances from it, but this is not all the components of an alcoholic beverage. Interest around red wine arose due to statistics that the French, who daily consume it before eating, are much less likely to suffer from heart and vascular diseases than residents of Europe and the United States.
Many experts who study the properties of red wine, came to the conclusion - moderate consumption of this drink (but only dry and natural), contributes to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Studies confirm that under its influence there is an increase in the level of nitrogen in the blood, leading to vasodilation and a decrease in the upper and lower blood pressure. This property of the drink with its reasonable consumption helps to reduce the risk of stroke by 2 0%, and heart ailments - by 15%.
Dry red wine contains a large amount of antioxidants. After taking it, their amount in the blood rises after 30 minutes and persists for 4 hours. These compounds prevent damage to blood vessels by free radicals. In addition, the substances in this drink help reduce the level of endophelin protein, a high level of which provokes the development of atherosclerosis and other vascular pathologies.
The composition of red wine includes procyanides. They, like antioxidants, are extremely useful for blood vessels and the heart. Due to their effects, the risk of developing the following pathologies is reduced:
- myocardial infarction;
- insufficiency of coronary blood flow;
- atherosclerosis;
- arterial hypertension.
Tannin, located in the seeds, peels and peduncles of grapes, gives blood vessels elasticity and strengthens them, and saponins and kakhetin remove "harmful" cholesterol, leading to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
Experts warn that it is possible to take red wine for the prevention of heart and vascular diseases only for healthy people and those who have no contraindications to its reception. Refrain from its use should be in diseases of the digestive system, allergic reactions, asthma, migraine-like headache attacks, alcoholism and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Patients with diseases of the heart and blood vessels taking this drink can be recommended only by a cardiologist during remission. And for such treatment, only dry vintage wines can be used, and their dose should be strictly limited - no more than 50-100 ml per day.
By including these 10 heart-healthy foods in your diet, you can reduce your risk of developing many heart diseases and their main culprit – atherosclerosis. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the existing contraindications to the use of some of them and observe moderation.