A normal heartbeat is one of many potential indicators of health. A typical heart beats 100,000 times per day and pumps roughly 2,000 gallons of blood. An abnormal heartbeat, also called an arrhythmia, makes it difficult for your heart to pump blood properly, increasing your risk for organ damage and failure. Smoking, alcohol abuse, caffeine, stress, high blood pressure and nutrient deficiencies can cause arrhythmias. Numerous foods might help promote a healthy heartbeat.
Dairy Products
Dairy products are top suppliers of calcium in Americans' diets. In addition to promoting positive bone strength and helping to prevent conditions such as osteoporosis, calcium is necessary for a normal, healthy heartbeat. Dairy products particularly rich in calcium include plain and fruit-containing yogurt, fortified milk, cottage cheese, frozen yogurt, gruyere cheese and cheddar cheese. Dairy-based, calcium-rich dishes include macaroni and cheese, pizza and lasagna. If you don't tolerate or consume dairy products, fortified soy products provide similar benefits.
Leafy Green Vegetables
Leafy greens provide a variety of important nutrients, including magnesium, which supports more than 300 chemical reactions in your body and helps keep your heartbeat steady. It might also play a useful role in avoiding high blood pressure, or hypertension. Examples of magnesium-rich leafy greens include kale, mustard greens, Swiss chard, turnip greens and the sea vegetable kelp.
Fish
Fish provide heart-healthy alternatives to red and processed meats. Fish such as halibut supplies significant amounts of magnesium. MayoClinic.com recommends eating fish with soft bones, such as sardines and canned tuna or salmon, as a valuable way to meet your calcium needs. Fatty fish, such as salmon, albacore tuna, herring, halibut, lake trout and flounder, provide the added benefit of omega-3 fatty acids -- essential fats linked with positive cholesterol levels and heart health.
Potatoes
Potatoes, including sweet and baked potatoes, are among the top food sources of potassium. Maintaining proper potassium balance is important for maintaining organ health, and a potassium deficiency can cause an irregular heartbeat. Enjoy potatoes baked, grilled, boiled or mashed and be sure to consume the peel, which is rich in fiber and nutrients. While typical french fries are low in nutrients, oven-baked, peel-on potato wedges supply potassium and additional dietary benefits.
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