Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States and keeping your heart healthy is more important than ever.
There are various ways to keep your heart healthy which include getting enough sleep, exercising daily, and eating healthy.
Fresh, whole foods are always your best option, and using fresh herbs and spices is a great way to ensure your healthy meals are full of flavor and aroma.
Here are 5 delicious, heart healthy herbs and spices you should be incorporating into your diet.
Garlic
Used in a variety of dishes across many cultures, garlic is a kitchen staple with instantly recognizable flavor that most people already have stocked in their pantry.
Garlic is an excellent source of antioxidants, which can help fight infection and cell damage and has been shown to help lower blood pressure.
Other research shows that garlic supplements may also reduce plaque buildup in the arteries and help regulate cholesterol levels.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a delicious spice that can add some sweetness to any dish without the added sugars.
It’s especially popular during the winter months as it can be added to teas and other hot drinks.
Cinnamon has been used for centuries because of its medicinal properties and beloved because of its ability to lower cholesterol levels. Cinnamon has also been linked to a reduced risk of developing heart disease.
Turmeric
Curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory that is the main component in turmeric.
Curcumin gives turmeric its yellow color and has been shown to be helpful in supporting healthy blood flow.
It also may be useful for managing heart disease and other cardiac conditions.
In fact, turmeric has been shown to reverse steps in the heart disease process by improving the function of the lining of your blood vessels. This helps regulate your blood pressure, blood clotting and other factors that are important to heart health.
Ginger
Ginger is a spice that is widely used in cooking and baking, teas, and natural medicine.
Research has shown that cooking with ginger or taking ginger supplements can lower your blood pressure and help reduce plaque formation in your arteries.
There are many different ways to cook with and consume ginger.
Try adding it to your tea or coffee, take it in supplement form, or use ginger juice to your smoothies.
Green Tea
Not only is green tea delicious, it also provides numerous health benefits for our hearts.
A Harvard Medical School study showed that drinking green tea may lower your triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
It also has been shown to lower your risk of death from a heart attack or stroke and is beneficial for your blood vessel health.
In conclusion
Stocking your cupboard with these heart-healthy items will encourage you and your family members to use more herbs and spices in your cooking.
Consider buying spices in bulk so you’ll never run out of these heart-healthy foods.
Having these items in your pantry will also make menu and meal preparation a snap.
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