8. Broccoli
This popular vegetable is highly beneficial for your heart.
Broccoli is rich in sulforaphane, which protects the arteries from becoming inflamed and damaged.
This green vegetable is also rich in vitamin K, which helps keep calcium from damaging the arteries. Also, the fiber in broccoli can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
A 2009 study published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology reports that daily intake of at least 1 cup of broccoli can prevent clogging of arteries.
The study says that sulforaphane-rich broccoli helps the body use a specific protein to prevent plaque formation in the arteries. The compound sulforaphane aids in restoring the cells’ ability to protect against becoming inflamed.
Another study published in 2011 in the EPMA Journal suggests that regular consumption of brassica vegetables like broccoli may provide a preventive dietary approach to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
Eat 2 to 3 servings of broccoli each week. A serving is ½ cup of raw broccoli.
