Arteries are blood vessels that take oxygenated blood to your various cells, tissues and organs. In order for them to be able to do their job without trouble, they should remain clog-free.
Sadly, there are so many different things that can cause arterial clogging. Experts say that they include:
- Age
- A family history of it
- High blood pressure
- Elevated bad cholesterol levels
- Excessive sugar in the blood
- Unhealthy eating
- Cigarette smoking
- Too much stress
- Being obese or overweight
- A sedentary lifestyle
The problem with having clogged arteries is that many of your vital organs may end up deprived of much-needed oxygen.
If the clogged artery is the one that takes oxygenated blood to your heart muscles, you may end up with a heart attack. If the affected artery is the one that supplies oxygenated blood to your brain, you may suffer from a stroke.
There are medications available for dealing with arterial clogging. Severe cases usually call for angioplasty and bypass surgery.
Fortunately, experts say that it is possible to beat clogging of the arteries with the help of certain foods. Some of those that you may include in your diet on a regular basis to keep your arteries clog-free include:
Whole Grains
See to it that you have plenty of whole grains. That’s because they are packed with fiber, which is a nutrient that helps sweep cholesterol and plaque out of your arteries. By the way, whole grains are also very good for keeping your gut healthy.
Leafy Greens
Aside from whole grains, you can also obtain lots of fiber from leafy green vegetables. Adding them to your diet also helps fend off high blood sugar levels and obesity, both of which are risk factors for arterial clogging.
Olive Oil
Each time you come up with a bowl of salad with an assortment of leafy greens in it, don’t forget to dress it in olive oil. Numerous scientific investigations say that olive oil is a phenomenal unclogger of the arteries.
Nuts and Seeds
There are various reasons why nuts and seeds can help fend off arterial clogging. First, they have protein that helps keep your arterial walls healthy. Second, they have magnesium that lowers the blood pressure. Third, they help lower bad cholesterol in the bloodstream.
Citrus Fruits
Everyone knows that vitamin C found abundantly in citrus fruits is good for strengthening the immune system. Unfortunately, not a lot of people are aware of the fact that the said vitamin is also essential for maintaining superb arterial wall health.
Avocados
What makes avocado a superfood is that it is capable of raising the body’s good cholesterol levels, and this helps lower the levels of bad cholesterol — good cholesterol is referred to as such because it takes bad cholesterol to the liver in order for it to be eliminated from the body.
Fatty Fish
Just because they are fatty doesn’t mean that they are bad for you. Actually, fatty fish are very good for unclogging the arteries because they help lower bad cholesterol and also reduce inflammation, which is a contributing factor to heart disease.
Turmeric
Speaking of inflammation, there is a very common cooking spice that can help lower inflammation within you, and it’s none other than turmeric. You can add generous amounts of it to your favorite Asian or Middle Eastern dishes, or simply take it in tea or capsule form daily.
Coffee
Last but not least, having a cup of your favorite Joe can in fact help fend off arterial clogging, health authorities say. That’s because its loads of antioxidants can help prevent accumulation of plaque on the inner arterial walls. Green tea works just as excellently as coffee, studies show.
