Keeping the heart healthy often means removing junk foods, sugary treats, and fatty dishes from your diet. But just removing unhealthy things isn’t enough, you also have to include healthy substitutes regularly for a difference to be made. Fruits and vegetables are among the top foods to prevent heart diseases as they are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are low in calories and hence help reduce the bad cholesterol as well as blood sugar and pressure. They can boost your immune system and improve overall wellbeing too. So, here are the options you can include in your diet from now on.

• Bananas: Easily available throughout the year, bananas are rich in potassium, fiber and also have antioxidant properties. The potassium present in bananas helps in preventing the hardening and narrowing of arteries which can cause cardiovascular disease. It also helps in controlling the blood pressure levels.
• Papaya: Also known as an immunity booster, papaya helps in keeping the cholesterol levels in check and helps in reducing the chances of developing plaque in the arteries. One of the top foods to prevent heart diseases, it also contains high fiber and antioxidants which help in the digestion process, prevent aging, and also reduce the chances of developing cancer or Alzheimer’s diseases.
• Pomegranate: Another one of the top foods to prevent heart disease, pomegranates lower the risk of heart attacks. Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, they prevent the arteries from getting blocked and also help in reducing the blood pressure.
• Grapes: Antioxidants and flavonoids found in grapes help in preventing the arteries from getting clogged, lower bad cholesterol levels, and prevent the damage of heart muscles.
• Cherries: Rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties, cherries are also a great source of vitamins and minerals. As one of the top foods to prevent heart disease, cherries help in reducing the oxidative stress, triglycerides levels, and help in reducing cardiovascular diseases.
• Garlic: Regular intake of garlic helps in controlling blood cholesterol levels and removing plaque deposits on the arteries, which helps in preventing heart diseases.
• Broccoli: Broccoli , because of the presence of sulforaphane in it, helps to curb inflammation and plaque buildup, thereby lessening the risk of cardiovascular disease. Regular intake of broccoli also promotes better pumping of the blood from the heart to other parts of the body.
• Leafy greens: Rich in minerals and antioxidants, leafy vegetables are among the top foods to prevent heart disease . Not only do they provide nourishment to the body but they are also an excellent source of vitamin K, the deficiency of which might affect the structure of the heart.
• Tomatoes: An antioxidant known as lycopene found in tomatoes is believed to increase the level of good cholesterol and help in reducing bad cholesterol levels. It also helps in maintaining blood pressure levels, thus lowering the chances of heart diseases.
• Onions: These contain chromium, which helps in controlling blood sugar levels and thus helps in preventing heart diseases. Rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, onions help in controlling cell damage too.

Including fruits and vegetables into one’s diet can help them maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid heart diseases. Try and consume these food items in their raw, boiled or steamed form to gain maximum benefits.