Arteries are your lifeline because they supply blood to your heart. As you age, your diet can lead to a buildup of cholesterol and fat that prevents proper blood flow, Neal D. Barnard reports in his book, "Foods That Fight Pain: Revolutionary New Strategies for Maximum Pain Relief." Eating unhealthy foods can lead to clogged arteries, but a healthy diet may help clean out your arteries and keep your blood moving efficiently.
Garlic
Garlic lends flavor and taste to many different foods. Eating garlic may also reduce your cholesterol levels, which will improve the health of your arteries by helping to clean them out, Barnard notes. Garlic is a potent artery cleaner because you only need to eat about a half a clove a day to bring results. Many people eat garlic raw as an accompaniment to meals or snacks. If the taste is too strong, mince a garlic clove into pasta sauce or saute with onions as a topping for a hamburger. Add crushed garlic to soup, chili and international food dishes such as enchiladas or a stir-fry.
Pumpkin
Vegetables, including pumpkin, are filled with important nutrients as well as antioxidants that help protect your health and reverse damage that has already been done. A diet high in vegetables will help clean out your arteries because they contain a good amount of fiber in addition to a variety of vitamins and minerals, Earl Mindell and Virginia Hopkins report in their book, "Prescription Alternatives: Hundreds of Safe, Natural, Prescription-Free Remedies to Restore and Maintain Your Health." Pumpkin is a powerful artery cleaner because it contains beta-carotene, which prevents cholesterol from sticking to your artery walls. Add mashed pumpkin to baked goods in place of oil, or puree with your favorite herbs to make a nutritious soup. Other foods rich in beta-carotene, such as carrots and sweet potatoes, have similar cleaning effects and can be added to your diet as well.
Beans
Beans are one of the best sources of fiber and can lower cholesterol and help clear out your arteries. Beans contain soluble fiber, Barnard notes, which is essential for reducing your blood cholesterol levels. Soluble fiber can also aid in sweeping buildup out of your arteries so as you lower your cholesterol you can also improve the health of your heart. A 4-oz. serving of beans each day will help you reduce your cholesterol levels quite significantly. Wrap beans inside a tortilla for a healthy burrito or prepare a vegetable and bean soup. Oatmeal, barley, fruits and vegetables also contain soluble fiber and will help you clean out your arteries if you eat them regularly.
References
- "Foods That Fight Pain: Revolutionary New Strategies for Maximum Pain Relief"; Neal D. Barnard; 1999
- "Prescription Alternatives: Hundreds of Safe, Natural, Prescription-Free Remedies to Restore and Maintain Your Health"; Earl Mindell and Virginia Hopkins; 2009
Member Comments