Various diseases and health conditions are attributed to the foods and beverages that people consume. Over the years, one underlying health issue being confronted by a large number of people is heart problems. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said that heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the US. While one person dies every 37 seconds from cardiovascular disease, about 647,000 Americans die from heart disease each year.
Given these glaring facts and figures, many people still go about their days eating and drinking whatever they want. However, it’s imperative to have proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle because what you consume directly affects your health and overall well-being.
In this article, we will share five foods and beverages that you must avoid to protect your heart’s health:
1. Sugar, salt, fat, and refined carbs
These are household staples where it’s common for people to consume them daily. What many people fail to realize is that high amounts of these condiments can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. If you want to protect your heart health, remember to take them in moderation. Better yet, go for healthy fruits and green leafy vegetables.
2. Red meat
Excessive meat consumption does not offer any benefit for your heart health. If you already have a heart condition, veer away from the likes of pork, beef, and lamb. Red meat is high in saturated fat, which can increase the cholesterol in your body. If you have too much of it, you may be a candidate for heart disease. Try your best to limit your portion of red meat or go for chicken or fish instead.
3. Soda
Many people love to drink soda to quench their thirst and keep them refreshed throughout a tiring and stressful day. What many of them ignore is the fact that a can of soda has high sugar content. In fact, its amount in a single soda drink can go beyond the recommended amount of sugar to consume in a day. This is why many people suffer from obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
4. White rice, bread, and pasta
Sure, you may consume white rice, bread, and pasta in moderation. However, doing so daily can be quite detrimental to your health. Many people don’t know that they are made from white flour, which means that they are missing their healthy fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The refined grains can quickly convert to sugar and get stored as fat in your body and these may be linked to type 2 diabetes and heart disease as well. As an alternative, go for brown rice, oats, and whole wheat instead.
5. Alcohol
Some people claim that drinking alcohol is good for health, yet it should be done in moderation. Heavy drinking can actually lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, and weight gain. It’s all the more necessary to avoid liquor if you already have high blood pressure and high triglycerides.
Conclusion
Family doctors or primary care physicians advise avoiding the foods and beverages mentioned above for overall wellness, from sugar, salt, and fat to white rice, bread, and pasta, down to soda and alcohol. Be sure to monitor and choose what you consume because doing so will have positive repercussions in your heart health and well-being. You can also consult with your doctor or dietician to see how you should go about having a proper diet for a healthy lifestyle!
We specialize in integrative and functional medicine with a team of board-certified physicians and specialists focused on prevention, management, and education. If you’re looking for a professional primary care doctor in North Bergen, get in touch with us today to see how we can help!