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Over 2,000 US citizens die from heart disease every day. The sad fact is that many of those deaths could have been avoided, had the individual eaten a healthier diet.
Many cases of heart disease, stroke and heart attack are related to poor eating habits. While there’s no problem having the odd blow-out in a restaurant, if you’re eating the wrong things on a regular basis, it will take its toll on your body.
Here’s a brief guide to the foods you should be avoiding if you want your heart to remain healthy.
The Worst Foods for Your Heart
1. Processed meats. It’s always tempting to pop a hotdog on the BBQ or indulge in a bacon bap in the morning. However, processed meats are often bad news for our hearts. They’re full of sodium and higher in saturated fat, which officially makes them a food to steer clear of. They’ve also been linked to diabetes and even pancreatic cancer.
2. Fizzy beverages. A can of Sprite or Coke can provide the perfect pick-me-up when you’re low on energy. There’s a reason for this… it’s full of sugar! This causes your blood sugar to spike, and it can also contribute to obesity, one of the leading causes of heart disease. In fact, according to a 2012 study, just one can of full-fat fizzy drink a day can increase a man’s chances of having a heart attack by 20%.
3. Trans fats. Trans fats are cheap to make, which makes them popular with the food industry. However, food cooked using trans fats are not beneficial to our hearts. They raise levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol in the body, leaving you more vulnerable to heart attack.
Sensible Diets for Better Health
Of course, the occasional pizza or burger won’t immediately raise your chances of having a heart attack. However, if you know that you’re eating these types of foods too often, it could be time to review your eating habits. If you’re concerned about any aspect of your cardiovascular health, book an appointment with Cardiovascular Solutions Institute today by calling 941 747 8789.