How can eating more plants help your heart? 3 benefits
February is Heart Health Month, so there’s no better time than now to show your heart some love! We’re talking all about how a plant-based diet may be a surefire way to reduce your risk of heart disease.
In fact, the studies are in and have found that plant-based eating may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by a whopping 32%.
Want in on all the details on plant-based eating for heart health?
Here’s what you need to know.
3 Ways Eating More Plants Can Boost Heart Health
#1 Support Healthy Cholesterol Levels
Having your cholesterol levels in check is a key part of supporting heart health. The great news is that munching on all the plant-based things is actually doing some pretty awesome things for your cholesterol levels.
Studies have found that plant-based diets help improve cholesterol levels, while also supporting a healthy weight (win, win!)
#2 May Help Lower Blood Pressure
Another important part of supporting heart health is maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Here’s another area plant-based diets shine. Studies have found that eating a plant-based diet can help lower blood pressure. This is linked to the fact that plant-based foods are rich in potassium, (which may help support healthy blood pressure), free of cholesterol, and low in fat and sodium.
#3 Slashes Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Let’s talk about the real Rockstar benefit of plant-based eating. Research has found that eating more plant-based foods (like fruits and veggies) lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease. So, keep eating the color of the rainbow, it’s doing wonders for your heart!
Superstar Plant-Based Heart Health Boosting Foods
While plant-based diets, in general, are found to support heart health, some foods have really been found to shine in the heart health department.
Here are some of the best plant-based foods to enjoy to show your heart some love.
- Dark leafy greens (try blending a handful into your daily smoothie for an added boost!)
- Legumes (make a plant-based bolognese sauce with lentils, or try this Buluga Lentil Briase!)
- Nuts & seeds
- Berries (make an antioxidant-rich berry smoothie or try making a fruit salad with a mix of your favorite fruits.)
- Foods rich in plant-based omega-3 fatty acids (flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts.) These are all delicious enjoyed over a bowl of oatmeal or even blended into a smoothie.)
The Power of Plants
With all the benefits plant-based eating has to offer, it makes sense that we all should be eating more plants to support not only heart health, but overall health as well.
So, if you’re already eating plant-based, keep eating all the plants to show your heart some love. Not fully plant-based but want to supercharge your health this year? Consider ditching the meat and eating more plants. Your heart will thank you for it!
