New Study Sheds Light on Which Foods Offer Greatest Heart Health Benefits

With heart disease contributing to more than 610,000 deaths in the United States each year, everyone should take a proactive approach towards achieving and maintaining a healthy heart. Unfortunately, though, there's a lot of misinformation out there on the topic of heart disease. In the past, for instance, it was believed that eggs contributed to heart disease because of their dietary cholesterol content. This myth has since been debunked, with medical experts now saying that neither eggs nor any other high-cholesterol food contributes to heart disease.

Study Reveals Top Heart-Healthy Foods

So, which foods should you eat to promote a healthy heart and lower your risk of heart disease? A new study has revealed the answer to this age-old question. Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the study found that plant-based foods -- fruits, vegetables and nuts -- offer the greatest heart health benefits. Researchers say that people who want to lower their risk of heart disease should consume less meat, fewer processed foods and more plant-based foods. Following this diet promotes a healthy heart, thereby lowering the risk of heart disease and other relates illness.

The problem is that many people choose meals and snacks based on convenience. It's easier and more convenient to eat a processed candy bar or bag of microwaveable popcorn than a side of freshly cut vegetables. As explained by the study's Dr. Andrew Freeman, however, unprocessed foods and animal-based foods are better choices. They provide you with greater nutritional value, giving your heart the vitamins it needs to stay healthy.

"Before you reach for a box or a package of microwaveable something or other, just try your best to eat the unprocessed and minimally processed version of plant foods and limit the animal products if consuming them at all,” said Dr. Andrew Freeman.

Other Ways to Improve Heart Health

Dieting is only one step to achieving a healthy heart. The other step is to exercise. Staying physically active burns calories and fat while building muscle in the process. Most importantly, though, it "works out" the heart muscle, making it stronger and more resilient.

Statistics show, however, that only 20% of adults get the recommended amount of exercise. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, you'll have a higher risk of developing heart disease. This is why the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week or 75 minutes of high-intensity aerobic exercise per week.