Any trainer will tell you that what you put into your body is just as important as the workouts you put it through. Diet plays a major role in heart health, so check out our list of foods that give your cardiac system exactly what it needs.
1) Berries
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are full of antioxidants that your body craves! Eating berries is also associated with lower systolic blood pressure and reduced inflammation. The Catalyst shake to try: Berry Berry Good
2) Greens
Kale and spinach are full of vitamin K, which protects your arteries and helps clotting, and high in nitrates, which can reduce blood pressure and improve blood cell function. The shake to try: Tender Greens
3) Beets
Low in calories, high in nutrients, and youeither love or hate the actual taste. Beets are highly concentrated withnitrates, which can lower blood pressure, and can also increase athleticperformance by improving your oxygen use and time to exhaustion. You can’t “beet”that. The shake to try: Red Velvet
4) Avocados
Smashed on toast, chopped on a salad or ground into guacamole, avocados have become America’s sweetheart. Full of the “good”fats and potassium, avoca-don’t skip adding this to your diet. The shake to try: I Love Veggies
5) Grains
Carbs are not the enemy here. Whole grains, besides being high in fiber and helping to reduce cholesterol, can also aid in reduced blood pressure. Some of our favorites are quinoa, barley and rye. The shake to try: Cracker Jax
6) Nuts and Seeds
While all nuts are not created equal, some are incredibly nutrient-dense. Walnuts are another great source of those “good”fats, as well as being packed with fiber. Almonds are high in nutrients (as wellas overall calories, so portion control is key), and full of fiber. For seeds, many contain essential amino acids that your body needs. Chia, hemp and flax are some of our favorites, and all help support healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The shake to try: Banana Nut Blast
7) Dark chocolate
You didn’t think we’d leave this off the list,did you? ‘Tis the season to indulge in this heart-healthy treat, which is loaded with antioxidants and lowers the risk of heart disease. We can’t think of anything sweeter than that. The shake to try: Chocolate Frosty
