With so many nutrients available for your health, it’s hard to keep track sometimes. Here are some of the best protein sources for your heart.
Taking good care of your heart health is essential, which is why you also need to manage your diet efficiently. According to a comprehensive review in Cardiovascular Research, certain foods are better for heart health than others.
The review shows that a plant-based diet is the best one for your heart health – specifically the Mediterranean diet. Consistent with the research findings, the Mediterranean diet focuses on whole foods and limits certain animal products.
“We need to rediscover culinary traditions such as the Mediterranean diet which has delicious recipes using beans, whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables,” says study author Gabriele Riccardi, M.D.
According to the research, you can improve your heart health by decreasing salt and animal products in your diet. Furthermore, by supplementing with more plant foods, you can lower your risk of atherosclerosis (a type of vascular disease).
In contrast, red meat (both processed and unprocessed) may increase your risk of heart disease. In other words, if you want a stronger heart, you need to limit your beef, pork, and lamb consumption. Moreover, you should only eat bacon, sausages, salami, and other forms of processed meat occasionally – not regularly.
Best Protein Sources for your Heart
While we know that red meat provides protein, there are other great sources of protein that support your heart health. For example, legumes are a great alternative to meat if you want to get your proteins from a heart-healthy food. Legumes include lentils, beans, chickpeas, soybeans, peanuts, and peas.
Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that fish is also a good alternative to red meat, but only in moderate amounts. Finally, poultry is a relatively neutral source of protein in up to three servings of 100 grams per week.
The Link Between Gut and Heart Health
Another great source of protein that doesn’t have the same potential negative impact as other animal-based products is dairy. According to Riccardi, “small quantities of cheese… and regular yogurt consumption… are even linked with a protective effect.” Moreover, fermented foods are always good for your gut health and this can affect other health factors.
“We now understand that gut bacteria play a major role in influencing cardiovascular risk,” says Riccardi. “Fermented dairy products contain good bacteria which promote health.”
The Outlook
At the end of the day, it turns out that eating a lot of vegetables, whole grains, and certain protein sources is the best for your health. By following healthy eating plans like the Mediterranean diet, you can strengthen your heart and improve your overall health.
In addition to eating healthy, you can take daily supplements like L-arginine Plus to promote your heart health and circulation. Try L-arginine Plus along with a well-balanced diet if you want to give your health the support it needs.