As the temperature drops in winters, it brings along with it many health related problems. Strong immunity is important for keeping disease away and maintaining the health of the skin, hair and joints. Winters are especially difficult for people with arthritis because joint pain tends to increase as the temperature drops. Skin problems like dry skin, eczema and psoriasis breakouts tend to get worse during winters. Apart from respiratory diseases and colds, winters can be difficult for heart patients. When the temperature outside drops, our heart has to work twice as hard to keep blood flowing and our body warm. Sometimes, even low temperature can cause the blood arteries to constrict, making the oxygen flow to the heart insufficient. That’s why it’s important to choose foods that complement and prepare for the chill of winter.
Dr. Priyanka Rohatgi, Chief Nutritionist, Apollo Hospitals, shares that in the cold season, our energy levels, metabolism and even food preferences change. She says, “Thus it is important to consume food that will not only keep us warm from inside but also provide us with vital nutrients that can weigh us down in winters.”
List of essential winter foods that are good for the heart
Here are some essential foods for winter that are good for the heart:
1) Broccoli: It is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, making it an excellent food to eat to ward off the winter flu. Broccoli contains fiber, fatty acids and vitamins that help regulate blood pressure in the body, excellent for heart health.
2) Carrot and Sweet Potato: Sweet potato juice and carrot juice provide the body with potassium, an essential mineral that benefits your cardiovascular system. Potassium is good for lowering high blood pressure, which benefits overall heart health. Carrots and sweet potatoes have other benefits besides heart health. Beta-carotene, which is abundant in carrots and yams, is converted by the body into vitamin A, which is essential for protecting our eyes from the sun and maintaining eye health. Consuming carrots regularly can also help prevent cataracts, and yams are a healthy alternative to regular potatoes and contain beta-carotene, antioxidants, and fiber.
Also Read: Diet Tips For 2023: Don’t Just Eat Right, Eat Smart In The New Year
3) Citrus Foods: Citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C, which protects our body from viruses and bacteria and boosts immunity. According to WebMD, citrus fruits contain several compounds that may help keep your heart healthy. Their soluble fiber and flavonoids may help raise healthy HDL (or good) cholesterol and lower harmful LDL (or bad) cholesterol and triglycerides. The fruit may also lower high blood pressure; The potassium in citrus fruits may help lower your risk of stroke and heart disease.
4) Oats: It is a famous staple which is also extremely useful as a winter food. This grain is great for fighting common cold ailments as it is rich in antioxidants, rich in soluble fiber, very nutritious, and is also good for the heart.
5) Pomegranate: Elders and doctors recommend pomegranate as a nutritious winter fruit that can be consumed in various ways throughout the season. They also contain lots of antioxidants and lots of important nutrients like iron, vitamin B6, vitamin C and potassium, and are good for heart health.
6) Paprika / Capsicum: Paprika contains lots of carotenoids, which have been linked to lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease, and even cancer.