7 Foods To Eat To Boost Heart Health

Heart disease is a major threat to the health of commercial vehicle drivers. While you can’t change everything about the trucker lifestyle that can put your heart health at risk, you can try to include heart healthy foods into your diet to minimize the damage.

Here are seven foods you should try to include in your diet to keep your heart healthy.

1. Oatmeal. Oatmeal enters your digestive system and absorbs cholesterol, helping your body to eliminate it. This, in turn, prevents cholesterol build up in your arteries.
2. Berries. Blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries all contain powerful antioxidants that are thought to decrease blood pressure and keep your blood vessels dilated.
3. Salmon. One study found that eating two servings of salmon per week was linked to a 30% decrease in heart disease, thanks to a healthy dose of Omega-3 fatty acids found in the fish.
4. Nuts. This truck stop favorite is full of minerals, vitamins, and good-for-you monounsaturated fats that have been shown to increase heart health.
5. Dark chocolate. Polyphenols in dark chocolate improve blood pressure and help with blood clotting issues. But make sure that you choose a type that’s at least 60-70% cocoa to get the benefits.
6. Potatoes. Think that spuds are junk food? Think again. They are high in fiber and potassium, which lowers blood pressure and your risk for heart disease. Just look for healthier preparations — fries still don’t count as health food.
7. Tomatoes. Tomatoes are a good source of potassium and lycopene, which is thought to get rid of bad cholesterol in your body.

Sources:
Health
Eating Well