Eating healthy is good for your heart, and including peas in your heart-healthy diet can do wonders! Learn about the heart health benefits of peas.
When it comes to taking care of your overall health, taking care of your heart becomes important. This is of utmost importance at a time when heart disease has become the leading cause of death among people. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability among people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 702,880 people in the United States died from heart disease, about 1 in every 5 deaths. So, it is obvious that you need to take care of your heart to keep these diseases under control. One way to do this is by eating a healthy diet, and you can try peas for the heart. Of course, it will not magically prevent heart disease, but it can help, and here is how!
Peas for the heart: does it help?
Not just one, but peas contain several nutrients that may be good for your heart. Peas are known to contain fiber, which may help lowering LDL cholesterol levelsblood pressure and inflammation. It also contains several nutrients, such as magnesium, potassium and others, that can help control blood pressure, adds the interventional cardiologist. Dr. Anand Ram.
1. Contains fiber
This will give you a boost of fiber, which is good for maintaining cholesterol levels and blood pressure, two of the most common causes of heart disease. A study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal It has been found that including legumes such as peas in your diet can help control levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.
2. Increases potassium intake
Eating peas will provide your body with enough potassium to control your blood pressure levels. According to Harvard Medical SchoolIncreasing your potassium intake may help you control your blood pressure levels.
3. Rich in magnesium.
Peas also contain magnesium, an important nutrient for regulating heart rhythm, preventing arrhythmia, lowering heart rate, and protecting the heart overall, according to Journal of the American Heart AssociationMagnesium helps regulate blood pressure and improves overall heart health.
4. Has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
A Pharmacognosy Review Peas have also been found to be rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risk of inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.
Are there any side effects of eating peas for heart health?
While peas can be a healthy addition to any diet, eating too much of this vegetable can have negative side effects on your health.
- Eating too many peas can cause bloating and gas, which can lead to stomach problems.
This can lead to excessive uric acid production, which can lead to gout flare-ups. - Too many peas can cause diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome unless consumed in moderation.
How many peas should you eat to maintain heart health?
If you like adding peas to your meals and enjoy them, Dr. Ram recommends eating half a cup of peas twice a week, which is generally recommended for everyone. You need to make sure you eat fully cooked peas and not raw ones, the expert adds.
Other measures to maintain heart health
Green peas are nutritious and protect you from chronic diseases like heart disease, but they can’t do it alone! You need to support them by incorporating other things into your daily routine:
1. Eat a healthy diet.
Eat a balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables. You should also include nuts, seeds, legumes, lentils, and whole grains. According to a study published in Vascular Health and Risk ManagementThe best diets for maintaining heart health include MediterraneanDASH and plant-based diets.
2. Limit your intake of sugary and processed foods
If you want to protect your heart, you should avoid processed and sugary foods, as these foods can increase your risk of developing heart disease. A study published in Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome It has been established that eating ultra-processed foods increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and should be avoided.
3. Avoid smoking and alcohol.
Smoking and drinking alcohol are two more habits that are considered harmful to your health. These bad habits not only damage your heart’s blood vessels but can also lead to other problems. It is better to avoid them to avoid the risk.
4. Sleep more
While it may be impossible to resist watching another episode of your show at night, you can try for your heart. Choose sleep over entertainment if you want to keep heart disease under control. Get at least 6-8 hours of sleep every day at the same time to keep your heart health under control.
5. Exercise
Exercise regularly to help prevent heart disease, according to a study published in the journal Johns Hopkins Medicine. If you're wondering how exercise helps, the benefits are many-fold. It strengthens the heart, which helps pump blood throughout the body. Regular exercise also increases blood flow and oxygen levels in your body, lowers cholesterol, and blood pressure levelhelps you lose weight, avoid stress and strengthen bones and muscles. American Heart Association recommends doing at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise each week. Yoga can help, too!
6. Avoid stress
Believe it or not, stress contributes to a number of health problems, including heart disease. According to University of Rochester Medical CenterStress can lead to common risk factors for heart disease, including blood cholesterol, blood sugar, triglycerides, and blood pressure. Stress management good for your health and well-being, may help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, claims American Heart Association.
7. Control risk factors
Several factors play a critical role when it comes to heart disease, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. You need to keep these numbers in check if you want to keep heart disease under control. Choosing healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol consumption, and engaging in regular physical activity, can help you avoid these risk factors.
8. Get screened regularly.
Screening tests can help detect heart disease at its earliest, most treatable stage. It is vital to have regular cardiac checkups to know the state of your heart health, says the expert.