Supermarket Secret SLASHES Heart Risk?!
Atherosclerosis occurs when fat builds up in your artery walls. This causes the vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to narrow, hindering blood circulation.
Even worse, the fatty plaque can RUPTURE, triggering a heart attack or stroke.
Mainstream medical types will try to sell you on taking cholesterol drugs to lower the fat levels in your arteries.
But recent research confirmed there’s a 100 percent natural and side-effect-free secret weapon you can use to fight against heart-damaging clogged arteries.
Carotenes are compounds in yellow and orange fruit and vegetables—like carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and more.
They’re best known for their eye health benefits. But, according to a new study, they could be EVEN BETTER for your heart.
Researchers recruited 200 volunteers ages 50 to 70. They used blood tests to measure carotene levels and ultrasounds to determine the presence of atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid artery.
Fatty arterial plaques are generally made up of LDL or so-called “bad” cholesterol.
The scientists found the GREATER the amount of carotenes in the blood, the LESS atherosclerotic plaque was present.
So the simple conclusion?
Eating fruit and veggies rich in carotenes can help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Now, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that eating natural foods—instead of packaged junk—is better for your health. But it’s a nice reminder every now and then.
Most docs and the medical community insist cutting LDL is the best way to protect your heart health. And fresh produce contains cholesterol-lowering plant sterols.
But even MORE important is that fiber-rich fruits and veggies help raise HDL cholesterol.
You see, HDL plucks cholesterol from artery walls, discouraging its buildup.
Higher HDL levels are linked to a lower risk of heart disease and reduced stroke risk.
P.S. CLICK HERE to discover one of my favorite “forbidden” foods that boosts HDL.
Source:
“Total carotene plasma concentrations are inversely associated with atherosclerotic plaque burden: A post-hoc analysis of the DIABIMCAP cohort,” Clinical Nutrition, VOLUME 42, ISSUE 7, P1168-1174, JULY 2023, doi. org/10.1016/j.clnu.2023.05.005
