Written By: Debjani Arora | Published : September 11, 2015, 9:46 AM
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Fruits are a great source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that do you a great deal of good. But there are a few that stand out when it comes to nurturing your heart and keeping it young forever. Have at least one of these every day if you love your heart..
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Apples: There is a reason why they say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Apples have a host of antioxidant flavonoid compounds —quercetin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, kaempferol and other polysyllabic that lowers LDL or bad cholesterol. They are rich in pectin a soluble fibre that also contributes towards better heart health.
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Banana: They are rich in potassium that helps maintain the balance between sodium and water in your body. They help the kidneys excrete excess sodium to maintain optimal sodium levels and to maintain the blood pressure. So your heart will be less stressed while doing its job.
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Berries: These little ones are wonder fruits. According to a study published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition a mix of berries – strawberries, mulberries, blueberries, cranberries, among others increases levels of HDL or good cholesterol and helps control blood pressure. The polyphenols present in the berries helps improve blood circulation.
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Kiwi: Kiwi can promote heart health by limiting the tendency of blood to form clots. The vitamin C and E in kiwi combined with the polyphenols and magnesium, potassium, B vitamins and copper all act to protect the cardiovascular system.
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Pomegranates: They are excellent for people suffering from heart diseases or who are at risk of it. They are rich in polyphenols including anthocyanins and tannins that help reducing build up of plaque and control blood pressure.
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Raisins: They don’t directly make your heart healthy, but the antioxidants present in raisins help fight bacteria in the gums that can lead to various periodontal diseases and affect the heart directly. As oral health can impact your heart in a big way. So eating raisins can also help your heart stay healthy.
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Watermelons: They are rich in antioxidants that help to lower LDL or bad cholesterol and prevent blockages in the heart. They also help in weight management which in turn reduces risk of heart diseases and chances of a heart attack.
