12 Foods Shown To Help Unclog Your Arteries

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death globally. About 3.8 million men and 3.4 million women die each year because of coronary heart disease. The sad part is, such illnesses can strike any time and can take life away instantly. You’ll never know.

Over time, plaque may build up in your arteries, making the inner walls too narrow and eventually restrict the flow of blood. This will then lead to serious health issues like stroke and heart attack. The good news is that there are ways to keep your arteries healthy and free of blockage. How? Start eating the following:

Asparagus

Asparagus is regarded as the best food for keeping the arteries healthy. This vegetable is loaded with fibers and minerals that can help get rid of the blockages that are already present in the arteries. It can reduce inflammation as well. Thanks to quercetin, which is a phytonutrient that asparagus has.

Avocado

We have already highlighted the health benefits of avocados many times before, and guess what? Eating this fruit can also help unclog your arteries. It can increase your good cholesterol and decrease bad cholesterol. Aside from that, it contains potassium, which is very useful in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases as well as vascular calcification in the arteries.

Fish

Fish like salmon, mackerel, and tuna are excellent sources of healthy fats. It has been shown that the consumption of unsaturated fats can help reduce the risk of heart attacks. They can also decrease the levels of triglycerides.

There are various fish oil products nowadays, but eating fatty fish is still highly recommended.

Broccoli

Broccoli is another vegetable that is rich in fiber, which can lower blood pressure as well as regulate cholesterol levels. It also contains vitamin K, which helps prevent the arteries from getting hard, and it keeps the arterial walls lubricated.

Nuts

Nuts are not only rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, but also in unsaturated fats, making them a perfect option when it comes to a healthy snack. Most of them have high levels of magnesium, which is quite helpful in getting rid of cholesterol plaque in the arteries.

Watermelon

This juicy fruit is not only helpful in keeping the body hydrated but also in unclogging the arteries. It is known as the number one source of citrulline, an amino acid that helps in the production of nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide is very important in vasodilation as it is responsible for relaxing the inner muscles of the blood vessels. It keeps them wide, allowing better blood circulation.

Spinach

Spinach is a dark, leafy green that can be eaten raw or cooked. It is a very good source of fiber, folate, and potassium, which are all helpful in lowering blood pressure and preventing artery blockage. You can use this vegetable in making smoothies and salads.

Whole Grains

While many of us think that carbohydrates are bad, that is not really the case, especially if you are getting them from whole grains, which are very rich in soluble fiber and magnesium. Fibers pull cholesterol out of the body, while magnesium helps in dilating blood vessels.

Turmeric

Studies show that turmeric, which is a spice that is rich in antioxidants, has the ability to get rid of fatty deposits in the arteries. Its anti-inflammatory compounds reduce damages to arterial walls and prevent them from hardening.

You can add turmeric to various dishes. You can also make tea out of it.

Olive Oil

We all know that olive oil is the healthiest oil that you can ever use when cooking or baking. Again, this has something to do with healthy fats. Olive oil contains monounsaturated oleic acid that can significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases as well as stroke.

To ensure that you will be able to reap the benefits, opt for extra virgin olive oil. You can use it when making salads or even when frying.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate is another type of fruit that is popular for having high antioxidant levels. It helps in stimulating the production of nitric oxide, which as we have said earlier, is very useful in vasodilation.

To reap the benefits, you should purchase 100% pomegranate juice and avoid those with added sugar. You can also add the juice to your smoothies. Or, you can add the seeds to your morning oatmeal as well.

Citrus

Citrus fruits are known to be the best sources of vitamin C, which boosts your immune system. They are also rich in antioxidants. Aside from that, vitamin C keepe your connective tissues and arteries healthy.

There you go with the best foods that can help unclog your arteries and keep your cardiovascular system healthy. It is just a matter of you adding them to your daily diet.