Great Red Foods for Heart Health-Part 1

Selecting and eating nutrient dense red fruits and veggies helps protect and improve heart health. Eating an assortment of colorful produce, legumes and beans, nuts and seeds, and whole grains each week is key to moving toward optimal health.

Look below for tips and ideas about red foods that pack a color-rich punch, and ways each contributes to enhancing heart health.

Note: This post is provided for entertainment and informational purposes only. For medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, consult a professional.

Beets: Beets are full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber that supports heart health. Beets are nutrient-dense root vegetables with an earthy, sweet flavor. All parts of this plant are edible and high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Beets taste great eaten raw, roasted, boiled, or pickled. Read "Why Beets are Tops" for additional information.

Strawberries: Strawberries are a nutrient powerhouse, one of the  best sources of anthocyanins, a substance that gives strawberries their bright red color. This sweet summer fruit is delicious, as well as being associated with lowering blood pressure and helping to make blood vessels more elastic. Buy organic ones, as the conventional type is heavily sprayed with pesticides.

Red Cabbage: This red/purple veggie has six times more antioxidants than green cabbage and supports healthy cholesterol levels. Red cabbage is particularly rich in anthocyanins, linked with lower blood pressure, and reduced risk of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease. Learn more by reading "Health Benefits of Red Cabbage." 

Red Grapefruit: This variety of grapefruit gets its bright red color from lycopene. This potent antioxidant is the same substance that gives tomatoes and watermelon their red hue. Red Grapefruit is laden with natural plant compounds called phytochemicals, specifically flavonoids, which studies show can help fight stroke and heart disease. Pink and red grapefruit are good sources of beta carotene (a source of vitamin A) and lycopene, an antioxidant "cousin" to beta carotene that has been linked to lower stroke risk. Read "10 Benefits of Grapefruit, Plus Facts and Nutrition" for more. 

Red Beans: Red beans including red kidney beans, Adzuki beans, and small red beans boost heart health. They provide protein, minerals, and a small amount of healthy fats (with no saturated fat, trans fat, or cholesterol). Red beans also contain fiber, which lowers cholesterol and prevents blood sugar (glucose) spikes. Managing blood sugar levels can reduce the risk of diabetes and obesity, two conditions linked to heart disease. 💗

There are several more red foods that I'm going to feature that are great for heart health. Look for a post about them in the future, in Part 2 of "Great Red Foods for Heart Health."

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How many and how often do you eat healthy and tasty red fruits and vegetables? Please comment below. 

What kinds of red fruits or veggies do you enjoy eating? How do you like to prepare them? Please share your ideas below.

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