Fruit and Your Heart

February is the month of the heart.  Private Home Health Care would like to talk with you about fruit and the cardiovascular benefits of eating fruit.

The New England Journal of Medicine noted a study that showed that among more than 500,000 people up to age 79 who ate fresh fruit every day had a thirty percent lower risk of dying from a heart attack.  

This study was compared to those people who rarely ate or never ate fruit.

Fruits are good for you but different fruits have different health benefits so choose what is best for you.

Berries – blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, along with acai and goji berries. You get antioxidants from berries to help fight free radicals that can cause inflammation.  Berries also supply you with vitamins A, C and E.

Cherries – these also have antioxidants but in addition you’ll get calcium and potassium as well as vitamins.

Oranges – Vitamin C boosts your immune system along with folate, potassium and choline (may help with memory).  Oranges are also high in zeaxanthin, an antioxidant which may help ward off macular degeneration.

Papaya – many of the same benefits as oranges but additionally they are rich in beta-carotene and lycopene which may help balance HDL and LDL cholesterol levels.

Kiwis – are rich in Vitamin K and have a higher amount of Vitamin C than oranges. Your digestive system benefits from this fruit as well. 

Grapes – you’ll get antioxidants from grapes along with resveratrol and quercetin which may help relax your arteries.

Apples – An apple a day keeps the doctor away perhaps because of the fiber which is linked to lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.  Be sure to eat the skin to get full benefits.

Bananas – you can load up on potassium and fiber with a banana.

Your recommended fruit intake is to have 1-2 cups of fruit each day.  There are many fruits to help you and your heart!