THE BEST HEART-HEALTHY FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

A delicious way to protect your HEART: Eat colorful fruits and vegetables. From watermelons to pineapples, there’s a rainbow of potent nutrients proven to help your heart. Read on to find out which produce is worth stocking up on.

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Yellow

One cup of pineapple has more than 100% of your day's vitamin C needs—C aids the heart by fighting free radicals, molecules that damage cells. The lutein and zeaxanthin in corn keep arteries from thickening.

Green

Research found that eating spinach—which is high in nitrates—lowered blood pressure and improved heart function in women. And kale is a good source of dozens of heart-healthy antioxidants.

 

 Blue/Purple

According to a recent study, consuming 3 or more servings per week of berries helped reduce the risk of heart attack in women in their 30s, 40s and 50s.

Red

Watermelon and tomatoes are nature's top sources of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. One study found that people who had the most lycopene in their bloodstream were 55% less likely to have a stroke than those who had the least.

Orange

Although known for their vitamin C content, oranges also contain 3 g fiber per fruit, which may lower cholesterol levels. Orange bell peppers are high in potassium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure.

SOURCE: Karen Ansel, MS, RDN, spokesperson, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics