February is National Heart Health Month. So, we are focusing on the role food plays in heart health.
Sadly, affordable foods often lack the nutrition of pricier options like fresh produce. That means our neighbors facing food insecurity are at greater risk of heart disease.
The food we eat directly impacts our cardiovascular functions. For example, foods high in sodium cause high blood pressure.
Sodium causes the body to retain water, which increases your total volume of blood. That forces your heart to work harder to pump blood.
Over time, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, and even kidney problems.
Thankfully, there are affordable foods that help keep blood pressure in check. Try foods high in potassium if you want to keep your heart happy. Foods like bananas, leafy greens, and beans.
Potassium helps the kidneys flush out excess sodium. This lowers blood pressure and keeps your heart healthy!
Foods high in fiber are also heart healthy options. Fiber removes excess cholesterol from the bloodstream. That prevents plaque buildup in arteries and lowers risk of heart diseases.
Oatmeal, brown rice, beans, and even sweet potatoes are affordable foods that are also high in fiber.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Thankfully many risk factors can be managed with healthy food choices.
Having a healthy heart shouldn’t be a matter of financial status or access to nutritious food. Help Second Harvest make sure everyone can eat well regardless of their financial situation.