Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) stand as the leading cause of mortality worldwide, claiming nearly 18 million lives each year. Studies indicate that adopting a heart-healthy diet, alongside other lifestyle modifications, can mitigate the likelihood of developing CVDs. A heart-healthy diet predominantly features fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting intake of saturated fat, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar. It’s characterized by ample fiber, potassium, and vitamins D and K, with moderation in alcohol consumption.
This Valentines Day and beyond, whether you have a partner or not, make it a priority to be kind to your heart. Whether you are getting rid of your love handles (see what I did there?) or lowering your blood pressure, these popular food trends will help to improve your heart health.
Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean Diet is the overall winner for U.S. News & World Report’s best diets for 2024 and also the winner for the publication’s Best Heart-Healthy Diets for 2024. Drawing its inspiration from the culinary traditions of countries along the Mediterranean Sea, including Greece, Italy, and Spain, this diet features a rich array of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. In research published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, middle-aged and older individuals who adhered closely to the Mediterranean diet experienced a cardiovascular disease mortality risk up to 29% lower than those who did not follow the Mediterranean diet.
If you are looking for a convenient and delicious way to get Mediterranean diet meals on your table, try Modify Health, the winner of Best Healthy Meal Delivery Service for 2024 by U.S. News & World Report. The meal delivery service offers Mediterranean, Heart Healthy and even a 6-week Heart Friendly FIT Quickstart program with dietitian support.
Mushroom Parmesan with Wild Rice & Garlic Green Beans from Modify Health
MODIFY HEALTH
DASH diet
What is it about the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, that has celebs such as Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Hudson swearing by its benefits? For one, the DASH diet plan is deliciously designed to aid in lowering high blood pressure and is promoted by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. It is low in sugar, sodium (less than 2,300 mg per day) and red meat, and includes plenty of foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits and vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and low-fat dairy. These nutrients are critical in blood pressure regulation and heart health maintenance.
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