Exercising is a great way to stay in shape, maintain healthy circulation, and keep your metabolism functioning optimally. One of the most important aspects to being healthy, though, is maintaining a healthy diet comprised of plant-based foods. If you want to help keep your heart healthy, we recommend eating a diet with a lot of nitrate-rich foods. Nitrates vs. Nitrites: Let it be known that nitrates and nitrites are not the same thing. Nitrites are typically found in hot dogs, bacon, or other cured meats. They can be dangerous to the body when heated, which is why it is best to avoid them. Nitrates, on the other hand, occur in a lot of fresh vegetables. Nitrates get converted into nitrites, due to the bacteria in your mouth, when consumed, but they don’t pose a threat to your health because the vegetables are rich in antioxidants. Your body also takes those naturally occurring nitrates and converts them into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide sounds dangerous, but you are thinking of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. Nitric oxide protects the mitochondria in your cells. Additionally, nitric oxide acts as a vasodilator, which helps to relax and widen your blood vessels for better blood flow. When your blood is flowing healthily, more oxygen and nutrients can be carried to your heart, brain, and other organs, and it can efficiently eliminate waste and carbon dioxide. The foods you need to eat include... |
