The Standard American Diet does a lot of harm to the human body. All of the meats, processed foods, greasy fast foods, refined sugars, refined carbohydrates, and GMOs have contributed to the increased percentage of people with heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Even though there are foods that can clog arteries, there are also foods that can help clean them out.
An artery is muscular-walled tube, belonging to the circulatory system, which carries oxygenated blood from the heart to other parts of the body. However, plaque can build up inside the arterial walls, which can cause inhibited blood flow. Plaque is comprised of things like fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrin, and cellular waste, all of which circulate in the blood. When arteries get clogged or blocked, people can develop coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, or carotid artery disease.
To help keep your arteries clean, you may benefit from eating the foods in the list below.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
For the most benefits, make sure you buy cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, which is full of mono- and polyunsaturated fats. A recent study found that people (ages 65 and up), who regularly used olive oil, were 41% less likely to have a stroke compared to those who used canola oil, vegetable oil, or butter.
Pomegranates
Because pomegranates are so rich in antioxidants, specifically vitamin C and other polyphenols, they encourage nitric oxide production. This helps to keep arteries open and keep your blood flowing. Pomegranates also help to reduce plaque build-up.
Avocados
Avocados are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, but they also help to lower LDL cholesterol levels. High LDL levels can lead to plaque build-up. Eat an avocado a day to keep the plaque away. Plus, the potassium in them helps to naturally lower blood pressure!
Raw Nuts
Many people reach for cookies or chips as an afternoon snack. Stop doing that. It is better to reach for a handful of raw almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans, or pistachios to get a healthy dose of vitamin E, fiber, monounsaturated fats, and omega-3 fatty acids. Monounsaturated fats help to reduce your risk of heart disease, but don’t go nuts on nuts.
Garlic
Start including garlic in your diet because it helps to lower cholesterol and improve overall arterial health. Regularly consuming garlic (about 1-4 cloves a day) can help prevent hardening of the aorta.
Asparagus
This healthy green vegetable is a great artery-cleansing food. It helps to boost the production of glutathione, which helps to fight inflammation and damaging oxidation in clogged arteries.
Turmeric
Curcumin, which helps to reduce inflammation, is the active ingredient in turmeric. Inflammation in the arteries is a primary cause of arteriosclerosis. Curcumin was actually found to reduce fatty deposits in the arteries by 26 percent!
