Every year, over half a million people die of heart disease in the United States. While a lack of exercise can be a major contributor to the health of your heart, the food you are consuming can play just as big of a role. We here at Kennedy Fitness: A Jefferson Health Affiliate are always encouraging our members to be mindful of the foods and ingredients they are eating.
Although plenty of our members turn to our kickboxing classes in Mt. Laurel to lower their chance of heart disease, there are plenty of ways to live healthier without ever stepping foot in a gym. Avoiding sodium and potassium is a great way of lowering your chance of heart disease. Some of the foods that can help improve your heart health include:
Leafy Green Vegetables
Spinach, collard greens, kale and other leafy greens can help in your heart in a multitude of ways. For starters, green vegetables are a great source of vitamin K, which helps increase proper clotting while protecting your arteries. On top of that, they are also high in nitrates, which can help reduce your blood pressure.
Avocados
Sticking with the green category of foods, there is a reason why avocados have gotten increasingly popular recently. Aside from being one of the most delicious fruits, avocados are jam-packed with heart-healthy fats that are great for your heart. Avocados can also help lower the amount of “bad” cholesterol, a big contributor to heart disease.
Dark Chocolate
We decided to end our list with a treat. Due to its makeup of antioxidants, dark chocolate can help increase the health of your heart. Some studies have even shown those who consume a small amount of dark chocolate five times a week had a 50% lower risk of heart disease.
Anyone interested in more information on any of our services at Kennedy Fitness or interested in kickboxing gym sign-ups in Gloucester County can give us a call at 800-875-2720.