The Human Body is amazing

We have a lot to thank our heart for! The human body has five vital organs, the Brain, Heart, Kidneys, Liver and Lungs. Scientists have not singled out one of these organs as the most important, however, your heart feeds these organs and provides them with oxygen and vital nutrients to keep them functioning correctly. In this article we will discuss ways in which you can keep your heart healthy and functioning to its optimal capacity.

Red is not Dead

Within red fruit and veg you will find an incredible mineral, this mineral is known for reducing blood pressure, boosting the body’s natural antioxidant defences and promoting a healthy heart. Lycopene is a red mineral found within tomatoes, red bell peppers, watermelon, pink grapefruit and many more red fruits and veg!
This incredible mineral is responsible for the red colour of tomatoes and it is vital to the human body! Cardiovascular Disease is responsible for up to 420 deaths daily in the UK alone. (Corporate, 2018) A study by Sesso et al in 2003 of 38,445 women found that a higher intake of tomato based products was linked to a reduced risk of Cardiovascular Disease. (An Update on the Health Effects of Tomato Lycopene, 2013) With this in mind, you may want to increase your intake of tomatoes!

The Jungle Beat

With a whopping 422 mg of Potassium concealed in a delicious shell, is it any wonder bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the world? According to global trends Bananas come in second in the world’s most popular fruit race. Bananas are known for their high amounts of Potassium, a mineral found in nuts, lean meats and many more fruits and vegetables!
Potassium is vital to the human body, the mineral is responsible for healthy blood pressure, normal water balance, muscle contractions and most importantly heart rhythm.
As your heart is a muscle, Potassium encourages a healthy heart rate by regulating muscle contractions. This is linked to the nervous system, Potassium is essential in the creation of nerve impulses throughout your body. These nerve impulses regulate muscle contractions for example – your heart beat. (Raman, 2017) By Potassium having a positive effect on the nervous system it plays a vital role in your heart beat and helps make this regular.

It’s Nuts

High Cholesterol can be detrimental to your heart’s health. Cholesterol is a fatty substance we need in order to survive; however, an imbalance of Cholesterol can be damaging and have negative effects on the heart.
Too much Cholesterol can coat the arteries in your heart, therefor making them narrow and triggering blockages and can slow the rate at which blood is pumped to your organs.
Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their incredible health benefits. Focusing on a healthy heart, Omega-3 is known to reduce blood clotting, reduce irregular heartbeats and is linked to improved cardiovascular health. Omega-3 can be found in many tasty foods, including Salmon, Mackerel and Soybeans, but did you know it’s extremely high in Walnuts! A study in 2015 by the BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care found that eating 2 ounces of walnuts daily lowers Cholesterol significantly and even helps maintain a stable weight. (Harvard Medical School, 2016)

Walk to the rhythm of your heart

Exercise helps to build muscles. As we work out, we warm our muscles up, we strengthen them and the more we exercise the more amazing we feel! The heart is the most important muscle in the human body, therefor it’s extremely important, we exercise this muscle in order for it to work to its greatest potential.
The more you exercise your heart the more efficient it becomes, pumping oxygen throughout the body, reducing Cholesterol and even lowering your blood pressure. Just 30 minutes of exercise can be the big difference your heart needs in order to be happier, healthier and more efficient!

Our heart is one of five vital organs within our body. With up to 420 people dying daily of Cardiovascular Disease within the UK, it is time to focus on the health of your heart.

The alldayDr Health and Wellness kiosk is the perfect way to keep on top of your blood pressure and listen to what your heart needs. We put your health and your heart in the spotlight.

References

An Update on the Health Effects of Tomato Lycopene. (2013, December 4). Retrieved from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3850026/

Corporate. (2018, November ). British Heart Foundation. Retrieved from British Heart Foundation: https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/our-research/heart-statistics

Harvard Medical School. (2016, January). Retrieved from health.harvard.edu: https://www.health.harvard.edu/cholesterol/walnuts-can-lower-cholesterol

Raman, R. (2017, September 9). What Does Potassium Do for Your Body? A Detailed Review. Retrieved from Health Line: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-does-potassium-do