Heart disease is a major cause of death across the world. While very few suffer from congenital heart diseases, a majority of patients get this disease owing to a bad lifestyle and irregular food habits. Unregulated food consumption that is not healthy to your heart can lead to high levels of cholesterol and sugar ultimately leading to a heart attack.
If you do not burn calories you consume and indulge in food that is heavy with sugar and saturated fats, you are prone to ruin your health in a very short time as such foods are not only difficult to digest, but also increase cholesterol levels and toxin in the body. Therefore, if you plan to start a healthy lifestyle, keep away from foods that may cause potential damage to your heart.
Here are a few examples of foods you must avoid to keep your heart healthy.
Salt
High blood pressure is a major contributor to heart diseases. Consuming too much salt may increase your blood pressure that raises the risk of developing heart diseases.
Refined carbohydrates – White Rice, Bread and Pizza
Foods like white bread, white rice and pizza are rich in carbohydrates that have a high GI (glycemic index), causing a spike in the blood sugar levels. Consuming a lot of high GI foods may have an overall increased risk of heart diseases.
Soft drinks
Soft aerated drinks can damage your heart as these drinks are packed with huge amounts of sugar. High consumption of sugar leads to obesity, high levels of blood sugar and cardiovascular diseases.
Red meat
Red meat has carnitine, a compound that causes clogging of arteries. Red meat is also high in saturated fat that raises the risk of a heart attack.
Processed meat
Processed meat has a preservative called nitrates, which can interfere with the natural ability of your body to produce sugar. This can raise the risk of high blood pressure and obesity, which in turn may lead to a heart attack.
Fried Chicken
Deep-frying chicken contains high levels of calories, sodium and fat. Excessive consumption of fried chicken is linked to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and obesity all of which, increases the chances of heart failure. Baked skinless chicken breasts in whole-wheat flour is a better choice than fried chicken.
Butter
Butter contains high saturated fat that can increase the bad cholesterol making you more prone to heart disease. Replace butter with vegetable oil or olive oil -based spreads that contain heart-healthy mono- and poly-unsaturated fats.
Margarine
Margarine, a butter-like substance made from vegetable oil and sometimes animal fats, contains unhealthy trans fatty acids that are linked to increased risk of type-2 diabetes and also coronary artery disease.
Fried foods
Fried foods contain trans fats, carbohydrates and high levels of sodium that are directly associated with clogging of the arteries.
Ice Cream
Ice cream contains high calories, saturated fat and sugar levels. Eating ice cream loaded with sugar and fat can lead to weight gain. It may also increase your triglycerides levels leading to a heart attack. Cut down calories and fat by choosing frozen fruit bars, sorbet, or low-fat frozen yogurt.
Baked Foods
Cakes, cookies and muffins are loaded typically with added sugar that may lead to weight gain. They are also associated with higher levels of triglyceride that can lead to heart disease. The main ingredient of baked foods is generally white flour that may increase your blood sugar and make you hungrier.
Boxed cereal
Boxed cereal increases sugar in your blood that raises cholesterol and increases triglycerides. Choose cereals that have less added sugars.
Instant Noodles
These crunchy noodle packets have now become a staple food for many college students. Noodles are deep-fried, which is not good for your heart. They are also high on salt. Too much salt can spike blood pressure levels and can be taxing on your heart.
Alcohol
Excessive consumption of alcohol can cause high blood pressure that raises the risk of heart diseases. Alcohol can also cause an irregular heart rhythm called ventricular tachycardia that can sometimes be fatal.
