What are the best functional foods for heart health?

There are many herbs mentioned in Ayurveda which can be considered in this category. Ayurveda is a way of life and in ancient India, almost all the herbs were part of daily routine use of Indians. Some of the notable functional foods which are really good for the heart are: Garlic: it is claimed to be helpful to lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and prevent blood pressure. Ginger: thought to improve circulation and reduce inflammation Green Tea: rich in antioxidants and thought to protect the heart from damage Turmeric: it's component curcumin is a powerful antioxidant and anti inflammatory agent. Helps heart health. Other herbs mentioned are Arjuna, Ashwagandha and more.

To expand our understanding of "functional foods" internationally, for example in Japan and in Japanese, "機能性表示食品" i.e. "Functional Health Food" is specially designated for foods that have documented health benefits and are approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW). These foods are labeled with specific functional claims related to health maintenance or improvement. The claims are based on scientific research and clinical studies that demonstrate the positive effects of these foods on health. These functional health foods are often used to address specific health concerns, such as improving digestion, boosting the immune system, or promoting cardiovascular health.

Functional foods are foods that contain bioactive compounds that can modulate physiological processes and improve health outcomes. These compounds may be naturally present in the food, such as antioxidants, phytochemicals, or omega-3 fatty acids, or added through fortification, enrichment, or processing, such as probiotics, prebiotics, or fiber. Functional foods can affect various aspects of your health, such as immunity, digestion, cognition, or inflammation, but some of them are particularly beneficial for your heart health.

Probiotics: Enhance your heart health with probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi, which support gut health and reduce inflammation. Prebiotics: Boost beneficial gut bacteria and promote heart health by including chicory root, garlic, onions, and asparagus in your diet. Enzyme-Rich Foods: Pineapple, papaya, and mango contain digestive enzymes that indirectly benefit your heart by supporting efficient digestion. Postbiotics: Embrace fermented foods and incorporate butyrate-rich foods to tap into the benefits of postbiotic byproducts from probiotics. These foods can contribute to a heart-healthy diet, but it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional.

Acho que antes de pensar em alimentos anti-inflamatórios é necessário pensar em como não inflamar, por exemplo, comendo mais alimentos in natura, menos açúcar, gorduras saturadas e trans, fazendo mais exercícios e ingerindo mais água. Antes de pensar em reduzir a pressão arterial, pensar em como não aumentá-la, ingerindo boas fontes de magnésio, água, fitoquímicos que melhoram perfusão sanguínea, etc. Além destes exemplos, acho muito importante cuidar da saúde emocional, pois o estresse agrava mais ainda todos estes riscos. Pense integralmente. O básico ajuda muito, além dos alimentos funcionais, que sem dúvida, são ótimos também.

Functional foods can improve your heart health by influencing different factors that affect your cardiovascular system. For example, some functional foods can lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, or triglycerides, which are important markers of heart disease risk. Some functional foods can also reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, or platelet aggregation, which are involved in the development of atherosclerosis, the narrowing and hardening of the arteries. Additionally, some functional foods can improve your endothelial function, which is the ability of your blood vessels to dilate and contract in response to changes in blood flow.

Plant sterols and stanols, commonly known as phytosterols, are naturally present in seeds, nuts, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. These plant-based substances help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by blocking cholesterol absorption in the small intestine.

MCT Oil which is converted into ketones in the liver. Heart tissue along with the brain love ketones as a fuel source. You need to be careful using MCT ad it can cause some GI distress if you take too much.

Look to the East for some examples of common functional foods that are good for heart health: - Green Tea: Rich in catechins, green tea has antioxidant properties that contribute to heart health and may help lower cholesterol. - Turmeric: Widely used in Asian cuisine, it contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and heart-protective properties - Ginkgo Biloba: Known to help enhance blood flow, including to the brain and the heart, which can be beneficial for cardiovascular health. - Fermented vegetables as a daily complementary health food, such as Kimchi, Miso, Natto… rich in probiotics and fiber, aiding heart health and digestion.

Some smart ways to incorporate functional foods into your daily diet: •Incorporate wholegrains and legumes in your meals over polished and processed grains. •Incorporate colorful seasonal fruits over fruit juices or packed juices •Make use of whole spices and herbs to flavor foods. •Focus on plant based meals •Prepare foods using different techniques like grilling, saute, steaming etc. •Add probiotic rich food in meals.

Functional food can benefit our health. Being healthy is a lifestyle. Too much "good foods" can be bad for our health. Hence, functional food is suitable to incorporate into our daily diet in a proper amount and portion control. High fiber food such as vegetables and fruits can be very beneficial for heart health as well, but choosing to eat varieties of fruits and vegetables is as important. Too much of spinach, kale, or brassica vegetables may lead to thyroid problems, especially when consume uncooked. Preparation method should also be in consideration when cooking these functional foods. Fish have omega 3 fatty acids that is good for our heart, but deep frying or cooking in high temperature may damage since these fats are very delicate.

Adding functional foods to one's diet is great but here are some things one should consider- • Understand what your body truly requires. While you are the best judge of your health, only a qualified Dietitian can help you understand what your nutritional requirements are. Only on that basis functional foods should be added to gain the best benefits. • Functional foods need to be used cautiously and in the right way. So only depending on functional foods to work like magic is not a wise idea. • Also they are a add on to a balance diet. Without eating right no amount of functional foods are going to ve useful. •If functional foods are consumed in the form of supplements. It is even more important to work with a physician or dietitian.

Moderate quantity of regional and seasonal foods are the best sources of getting nutrients. Shorter the distance between farms to your plates, better is the nutritional value. Don’t waste your money to buy Exhautic Foods wrapped in cellophane sheets. Go walk around the farms in & around your town to shop local and eat desi bountiful meals. 🥥🥜🫘>> 🥑🫐🫒