Heart-Healthy Foods Do Double-Duty for Brain Health
During American Heart Health Month, it's a good time to review some of the steps that can lead to better cardiovascular health, including adopting a heart-healthy diet. As an added benefit, especially for older adults, it turns out many of the same foods in a heart-healthy diet also benefit the brain by promoting cognitive health. Variety of nutritious foods is the key to good health. Heart disease remains the number one killer of both men and women in the US. Yet in the face of that grim statistic, many Americans continue to indulge in high-fat, high-sodium foods that add to their waistlines and subtract from their longevity. National survey data shows that 43% --- nearly half --- of our daily caloric intake comes from foods like burgers, pizzas, chips, sugary beverages and desserts, with a noticeable deficit of fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy. The American Heart Association has published diet recommendations to use as an effective weapon against cardiovascular disease. The key to a heart-healthy diet is to eat a variety of nutritious foods from all the food groups, including:
- a variety of fruits and vegetables
- whole grains
- low-fat dairy products
- skinless poultry and fish
- nuts and legumes
- non-tropical vegetable oils
- Salmon
- Blueberries
- Nuts
- Red wine
- Avocado
Related Article: MIND Diet Ranked Among Top Heart-Healthy Diets
Related Article: 5 Reasons Why Turkey is Good for Your Body & Brain
Related Article: Learn about Heart-Healthy Diet with the Heart-Smart Menu Quiz
Related Article: The Link between Heart Health and Dementia
Related Article: Keeping Learning Keeps Your Brain Sharp in Old Age
Related Article: How to Make Your Next 24 Hours Happy, Healthy, and Smart