Website content extracted from: Top 13 Spices that Unclog Your Arteries and Prevent Heart Attack (dailyhealthpost.com)
In today’s video, we’re going to talk about the top 13 herbs and spices that may unclog your arteries of cholesterol plaque, and help prevent heart attack and stroke. The herbs and spices in your kitchen can do a lot more than just add flavor to your foods! First, do you know what causes clogged arteries, or atherosclerosis?
Most people don’t know this, but not all LDL cholesterol is created equally. In fact, LDL cholesterol can be classified into several subclasses of particles with different sizes and densities, including large buoyant and intermediate and small dense LDLs.
Small dense LDL cholesterol particles are the most harmful type.[1] They’re the ones you want to avoid as they are more likely to lodge themselves in your arterial walls. When that happens, the small dense LDL particles trigger an inflammatory response, which leads to plaque buildup.
A diet high in refined carbs and trans fats can do a lot of damage to your heart by raising your small dense LDL levels. That’s why it is important to pay attention to what you eat.
Herbs and spices hold a special place in your kitchen, but these dietary components can do a lot more than just add flavour to your foods! Herbs and spices combined with heart-friendly meals may help cleanse and unclog your arteries and lower your risk of heart disease.
In today’s video, we’ll be going over the top 13 herbs and spices that you can eat to protect your arteries and keep your heart healthy.
Make sure you watch this video until the end because there’s one herb having benefits that most people do not know.
So, if you’re ready, let’s get into it.
As always, this video is educational and does not construe medical advice, we are not doctors.
Number 13: Parsley
If you already use this herb to supercharge your meals, then don’t hold back! Parsley is loaded with vitamin C and B12, which can improve blood flow in your arteries.
Parsley is packed with essential micronutrients that protect you from atherosclerosis and other heart conditions[2]. Being rich in nitrates, parsley acts as a natural vasodilator, providing more passage for the blood to flow.
Parsley is also rich in folate, which has been found to lower the homocysteine levels in your body that are commonly associated with higher risk of heart disease.
Number 12: Tarragon
Tarragon is popular in French cooking and is known as the “king of herbs”.
Studies have shown that it prevents blood clot formation, while also reducing plaque buildup. Adding this herb to your meals can help improve the blood total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglyceride, and glucose levels, as well as lower the amount of atherosclerotic lesions in your arteries and fat in your liver.[15,16]
Number 11: White Willow Bark
Did you know, today’s modern aspirin actually originated from an herbal extract found in the bark of the willow tree? This extract has been used for centuries going back as far as 3000 B.C., to relieve pain and inflammation.
In fact, the greek physician Hippocrates, who is often referred to as “The Father of Modern Medicine,” gave willow bark tea to women to help relieve the pain of childbirth.
The main compound found in white willow bark that’s responsible for its therapeutic effects is known as salicin. Like aspirin, white willow bark also acts as a blood thinner and helps prevent the formation of blood clots in your arteries[3]. Studies have also found that white willow bark may help lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke by improving blood circulation.
Number 10: Saffron
People living in Spain, where saffron is consumed regularly, have lower than normal incidence of heart diseases. That’s why when it comes to reducing inflammation and plaque formation in the arteries, saffron is a must.
The active compound Crocetin found in saffron may help improve blood lipid levels in the body and prevent atherosclerosis[4]. From saffron’s cholesterol lowering benefits to its anti-inflammatory properties, saffron may be one of the best spices for cardiac health.
Naturally rich in vitamins like thiamin and riboflavin, saffron promotes a healthy heart by strengthening the blood circulatory system. Saffron also has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help maintain healthy arteries and blood vessels.
Number 9: Rosemary
Another herb that’s good for your heart is rosemary, which contains a natural compound called rosmarinic acid. Rosmarinic acid has been found to prevent the progression of atherosclerotic plaque formation due to its beneficial effects on lipid metabolism and inflammation.
Many studies have also found that rosemary is naturally rich in vitamins B and C, which act as antioxidants to protect your heart from oxidative stress and help prevent blood clots[5].
Number 8: Hawthorn
Traditionally, hawthorn has been used to treat heart problems ranging from irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pain, hardening of the arteries, and heart failure.
The main reason why this shrubby plant is so good for your heart is because it contains oligomeric procyandins, which may help widen blood vessels, improve blood flow, and protect blood vessels from oxidative damage.
Other substances found in hawthorn that may benefit the heart include quercetin and flavonoids with antioxidant properties.
In both animal and human studies, hawthorn has also been found to help lower blood pressure, which helps protect your arteries and reduce the risk of plaque buildup[6].
Number 7: Ginger
We often forget how useful ginger truly is. Ginger is an incredible spice for maintaining your cardiovascular health. Ginger is a natural vasodilator that helps relax the arteries in your body and allows them to open up so that more blood can pass through them[7].
Ginger is rich in many bioactive molecules and antioxidants that offer protection against heart attacks and atherosclerosis. Many studies have found that adding ginger to your diet is greatly helpful in preventing the formation of plaque in your arteries.
Number 6: Ginseng
Ginseng is a natural blood thinner. Studies conducted to investigate the beneficial effects of ginseng on the heart found that this herb can help reduce the risk of heart attack and other heart conditions by improving arterial stiffness and unclogging heart arteries[8].
This powerful herb improves cholesterol profiles, thins your blood, prevents platelet adhesion in heart arteries, and acts as a natural vasodilator.
Number 5: Black Pepper
Clogged arteries result in poor circulation of the blood, restricting blood supply to the heart. Black pepper is a spice that has positive effects on your heart. Black pepper is loaded with antioxidants that cleanse your arteries by decreasing triglycerides and LDL levels.
Studies show a compound called piperine found in black pepper can help inhibit the adhesion of cells that contribute to clogged arteries, thereby exerting therapeutic effects on atherosclerosis[9].
Number 4: Garlic
Even if you might not like the taste, your heart loves garlic. Garlic is rich in allicin, which is a compound that may help reduce plaque buildup in arteries[10]. Additional studies have also found that garlic can help slow down the progression of coronary calcification in patients with coronary artery disease.
Number 3: Cinnamon
The third top spice in our list is Cinnamon, which is known to have therapeutic effects on heart health. Cinnamon is a potent source of cinnamaldehyde, which is known to have anticoagulant properties and prevent the formation of blood clots.
One study reported that eating one tablespoon of Cinnamon is linked with a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides levels[11]. Reduction in these levels is beneficial for arteries and the heart.
Number 2: Turmeric
This video would be incomplete without talking about the health benefits of turmeric on your heart. Turmeric is loaded with curcumin that has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties[12].
Turmeric prevents your arteries from hardening and developing fatty deposits. By adding turmeric to your diet it can help reduce inflammation and damage to your arterial walls which are the leading cause of plaque buildup and blood clots.
Number 1: Chili Peppers
Not many people know this, but chili peppers are great for your heart and arteries. The health benefits of chili peppers come from capsaicin, the same compound that makes them so spicy.
Many studies have found that capsaicin can help prevent the formation of blood clots, lower blood pressure and reduce the levels of bad cholesterol[13,14].
In addition, capsaicin has also been found to block a gene that makes arteries contract, which can lead to dangerous blockages of blood flow.
There you have it! The Top 13 Herbs and Spice that Unclog your Arteries.
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Which of these herbs or spices do you commonly add to your foods? Let us know in the comments section.
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