Written By: Nirmalya Dutta | Updated : April 9, 2014 2:45 PM IST
A new study has revealed red wine and dark chocolate not only taste great, but also have heart-healthy components. According to Loyola University Health System preventive heart specialist Sara Sirna, other foods in this list include nuts, fish, flaxseeds, oatmeal, black or kidney beans, walnuts, almonds and berries. Here are some of their health benefits:
Red wine
Red wine contains resveratrol, which has been found to lower blood sugar and LDL or 'bad' cholesterol. It also is a source of catechins, which can help improve HDL or 'good' cholesterol and polyphenols, which may prevent the formation of toxic plaque that leads to Alzheimer's disease. Read about the health benefits of red wine.
Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70 percent or higher is rich in flavonoids, which help prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries. It also boosts the immune system and contains cancer-fighting enzymes. Read about the health benefits of dark chocolate.
Walnuts
Despite being dense in calories, walnuts are actually a great tool for weight loss. One ounce of walnuts contains 2.5g of omega 3 fats, 4g of protein and 2g of fibre which makes you feel full. It also helps you sleep, is great for your hair, prevents diabetes, helps keep heart disease at bay and even makes your skin glow! We're not actually making this up, read on to find out the health benefits of walnuts.
Salmon fish
Another power packed food is salmon which is an excellent source of good fat or Omega-3 fatty acidswhich is great for your heart.t is also packed with vitamins A, B and D as well as calcium, iron, phosphorus and selenium. Those Omega-3 fatty acids help your brain work better and improve your memory. Studies have shown that they can also help in preventing type 2 diabetes. Read about the health benefits of salmon fish.
Flaxseeds
They are a prime source of omega-3 fatty acids which makes them a must-have in one's diet especially if you are a vegetarian. Unlike non-veg eaters, you do not get your intake of omega-3 fatty acids from other sources like fish, salmon, etc. When eaten during the winter months by many as they generate heat in the body. They are also high in antioxidants which prevent free-radical damage by protecting healthy cells from getting damaged. These also protect our bodies against different kinds of cancers including prostate and breast cancer. Read more about the health benefits of flaxseeds.
Oats and Beans
Oats are great sources of fibre and also a compound called beta glucan which together helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Beans on the other hand also have a lot of fibre and helps reduce the quantity and rate of cholesterol absorption from the diet. Here are 5 reasons to start eating oats today
Almonds
A study found that consuming just 1.5 ounces or 43 grams of almonds a day are a great way to keep your hunger pangs in check. The unpretentious nut is extremely low on calories with ten almonds accounting for just 78 calories. Other than that they're packed with useful nutrients like Vitamin E and mono-saturated fat ('good' fat) that gives you a boost without adding any extra pounds. Read more about the health benefits of almonds.
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