5 red superfoods that can protect the heart and how to consume them​

What we eat has a subtle but long-lasting effect on our overall health. Especially our heart health, and among the million colors to choose from, the color red may offer some of the most effective and strongest forms of protection for our heart, in terms of food items. These superfoods, being antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, induce normal blood flow, lower cholesterol, and relieve high blood pressure. These five red foods can make a big difference. Let us discover the strength of each food!

When we think of the colour red in food, beetroot is usually the first thing that pops into our head. This vibrant root vegetable is packed with vitamins, minerals, and natural nitrates. Once inside the body, these nitrates turn into nitric oxide, which helps relax and widen our blood vessels – a boost for your blood pressure and heart health.

How to consume: You can enjoy beets in all kinds of ways: juiced, tossed into your daily salad, or even stirred into a simple raita with curd, salt, and pepper.

Aside from tasting juicy and sweet, the little but mighty pomegranate is full of nutritional punch. Pomegranates are full of antioxidants such as tannins, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, and flavonoids that (you guessed it again!) protect our cells from the Neutralisation of free radicals. They are also highly anti-inflammatory, which makes them a phenomenal disease prevention food.

How to consume: Add them to the salad bowls, consume them as fresh juice in the morning, and they can also be consumed along with yogurt.

Grapefruit is a great addition to our diet if one is trying to maintain a healthy weight; it's a fruit one should consider adding to their diet. Eating grapefruit regularly can also help manage high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It’s packed with dietary fibre and potassium, two nutrients that play a big role in heart health. Low potassium levels are linked to higher blood pressure and a greater risk of stroke, while getting enough can help protect your heart and support overall cardiovascular health!

How to consume: Eat it fresh, juice it, add to salads or water, or broil with honey, delicious and packed with health benefits.

Who doesn’t love sitting with a bowl of cherries on a hot day? They’re juicy, a little tangy, totally addictive – and also, super good for your heart. Tart cherries are full of nutrients like polyphenols and vitamin C, which help calm your body down and keep your heart happy. They’ve also got anthocyanins that help protect our muscles and cells. So yes, turns out this summer snack is kind of a secret health hero.

How to consume: You can consume them fresh, dried, as juice, or in supplements, ideal for recovery, immunity, and overall wellness.

The rich red colour of tomatoes comes from lycopene, a natural antioxidant that’s great for our heart. It helps protect your body from damage, keeps bad cholesterol under control, and may even reduce the risk of stroke. In Indian kitchens, tomatoes are used in just about everything — from dals and salads to spicy curries.

They’re tasty, fuss-free, and great for your heart.

How to have them: Add to salads, cook in curries, roast, juice, or use in sauces for extra flavour and antioxidants.