Q: What food is good for our heart?
Ans: The heart is one of the most important organ in the body, it's function to put oxygenated blood to all parts of the body, through the arteries. However, when our ateries get blocked by thick layers of fats, blood circulation will not be as smooth and might even cause a heart attack. In order to prevent this from happening, we should cut down our intake of food that are high in cholesterol and fats and do more exercise. Studies have shown that some food are particularly good for the heart as they help to reduce the amount of fat build-up in the ateries.
Soy is a good source of these "cholesterol lowering" food. Soy contains a compound called Isoflavones, which act like human hormones that regulates cholesterol levels. A study in 1998 concludes that regular consumption of soy isoflavones can help to reduce total cholesterol by up to 10%. At least 25 grams of soy protein must be consumed daily in order to reap the optimal cholesterol-lowering benefits.
As the saying goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". Actually we need more than an apple a day. We need two servings each of fruits and vegetables. It is better to eat fruits like apples and citrus fruits, than to eat bananas and papayas because the latter contain higher amount of sugar, which is turn might cause diabetes. Eating fruits and vegetables provides the body with enough roughage, thus it lowers the workload of the alimentary canal, as faecal matter can move through the system easily. This lowers the workload of the heart, too.
FAQ
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- What food is good for our heart?
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