Cardiologists have announced THIS vegetable as #1 for heart health

Well, no one would be surprised to find that vegetables are one of the most recommended objects of consumption for good heart health. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, with an estimated 17.9 million deaths each year. Most of these deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, and their leading reasons are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and addiction to tobacco and alcohol.

Most cardiologists prescribe a healthy diet filled with fruits and vegetables for a healthy heart. However, now the cardiologists have lifted the veil from the #1 vegetable that you should eat to have a healthy and happy heart. And that vegetable is (cue the drum sounds) Brussels sprouts!

These cabbage-like veggies are so beneficial for your heart that Carl Lavie Jr, M.D., FACC, medical director of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention at Ochsner Health, said that they’re one of his top choices for heart health, as “It’s one many do not consider!”

Brussels sprouts are rich in fibre

Fibre is one important nutrient that many of us don’t get enough of, and brussels sprouts are filled with them. A cup of these vegetables contains 6 gms of fibre, which can help you get the recommended 25-38 gms of the nutrient you need each day.

As per a study, fibre-rich diets can lead to alterations in the gut bacteria that help in decreasing the blood pressure. The gut microbes consume the fibre to produce beneficial compounds called short-chain fatty acids, which improve heart health by reducing blood pressure.

Brussels Sprouts are rich in Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the blood clot and maintains bone strength. It is mostly found in the green leafy veggies, but brussels sprouts are the best vegetable choice if you want to increase your vitamin K intake. One cup of cooked brussels sprouts provides two-and-a-half times the vitamin K you need in a day.

Note that vitamin K can interact with some medications, such as blood thinners, so in case you are taking medication for the same, consult your doctor before increasing your intake of veggies rich in this vitamin.

Brussels Sprouts are rich in Nitrates

Nitrates are molecules composed of nitrogen and oxygen. They are a debatable topic in the nutrition field; however, as per research, natural nitrates found in vegetables such as brussels sprouts can be healthy for the heart. When nitrates enter the body, it converts them into nitric oxide, which helps expand the blood vessels. Thus, blood inside the body is able to flow freely, improving circulation and decreasing pressure.

Brussels sprouts are rich in Vitamin C

A cup of cooked brussels sprouts can provide the consumer a day’s worth of vitamin C. This vitamin fights the free radicals in the body that target the heart and lead to conditions such as atherosclerosis, wherein a plaque composed of fat, cholesterol and other substances forms in the artery walls, leading to their narrowing and then potentially blocking the blood flow.

Brussels sprouts are rich in Potassium

While many of us overlook the consumption of potassium in our diet, this nutrient is also good for the heart. A cup of cooked brussels sprouts has roughly 10% of the daily value of potassium. Thus, consuming these veggies will help in regulating your blood pressure by countering the impact of sodium, which most of us consume a lot of. Additionally, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it also protects the body from heart diseases and strokes.

While you may have been overlooking the purchase of brussels sprouts in your weekly grocery shopping and consuming them in your daily diet, their advantages must serve as an eye-opener for you. So search for all the best recipes out there for brussels sprouts and get your heart happy and healthy by eating their delicious veggies.