Combating heart disease

Combating heart disease is easy according to Professor Elio Riboli, if you watch what you eat and adopt an anti-heart disease diet. Foods and chemicals can cause inflammation in the lining of the blood vessels, promoting the formation of plaque (atherosclerosis) that can lead to heart attack. Recent studies show that food can play a big role as ant-heart disease weapons. It is not just about exercise, as every two inch increase in waist size also increases our risk of death by 17%. Even if you are not obese, a thicker waistline can set off a series of hormonal releases that lead to inflammation in the body, which then leads to heart disease.

Limit your alcohol intake
Red and white wine is beneficial for heart health, but too much alcohol, especially in the form of binge drinking, can lead to trouble that promotes heart disease. Calorie-laden beer can contribute to heart disease because too many calories increase the body mass index. It would be best to limit your alcohol consumption in your anti-heart disease diet to a moderate intake of red or white wine to reduce your risk of heart disease.

Avoid pre-packaged, processed foods
Processed foods contain chemicals that can cause inflammation in the lining of the blood vessels, leading to heart disease. An anti-heart disease diet should include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that are rich in anti-oxidants.

Avoid MSG
You will find MSG in many foods, especially packaged goods, and studies show that MSG contributes to obesity. MSG crosses the blood-brain barrier, sending signals to the brain that destroy blood cells. The result is improper distribution of fat that settles in the abdomen, contributing to heart disease. Eliminating MSG is a serious consideration as a weapon against heart disease.

Eat several servings of fish a week
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for avoiding heart disease and heart attacks. A balance of Omega-3, -6 and -9 fatty acids is a powerful combination for reducing heart disease. Typically, we eat too much meat, which contain omega-6 fatty acids and upset the balance. Walnuts, soybeans and tofu are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and should be an integral part of a anti-heart disease diet, as well as salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel. Try to eat several serving of fish per week.

Eat plenty of grapes
Grapes stand out as a dietary addition to avoid heart disease. Researchers have recently discovered that grapes are even more powerful than previously believed to mediate inflammation in the body. They studied rats that were given diets high in salt and found that grapes were so powerful that they reduced the impact of salt on high blood pressure.