Foods That Are Surprisingly Good or Bad for Your Heart

Your heart is one of the most important organs in your body, so it makes sense that so many scientists have researched how to maintain its health and function. Diet remains one of the most contentious topics. People still can’t seem to figure out whether eggs are good for you or not. Things have gotten very muddled up in the thick of things, so let’s take a look at some foods that are surprisingly good for your heart and some that are not so good.

The Good

Lard

Yes, you read it. Lard. People have no trouble believing that butter is okay for your heart, but you would be hard pressed to find anyone willing to give lard a try. Lard somehow gained a reputation as a disgusting, artery-clogging fat rendered from pork. Although it is a fat that comes from pig meat, lard isn’t as bad for you as you think.

Lard contains three times as much omega-3 fatty acid as butter, 33 percent less saturated fat, and twice as much monounsaturated fat. Monounsaturated fat is good for your cholesterol, your heart, and your health overall. Lard is so much better than the trans fats used in many commercial fried foods. Granted, you shouldn’t stuff your face with lard—that goes for everything—it does make an excellent, healthier alternative source of fat.

Coffee

There’s a lot of hubbub about the merits of coffee and caffeine with many people saying that caffeine is ultimately bad for you, but regular coffee consumption is actually quite healthy for you. But if you did an antioxidantcapacity assay on coffee, you would find that coffee is filled with a variety of disease-fighting antioxidants. In fact, it’s the main source of antioxidants for the average American. The main antioxidant in coffee beans is quinine, which gets stronger when roasted. Quinine acts as an anti-inflammatory and, when matched with the high magnesium content, can regulate blood sugar levels and lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. Coffee also increases HDL cholesterol, which is the good kind of cholesterol that balances out bad cholesterol.

Coffee does increase your heart rate, but not enough to cause harm. The bad that comes from coffee consumption is that Americans tend to overdo it. If you’re a regular coffee drinker, try to keep it down to 4 cups a day and avoid adding too much sugar or cream.

The Bad

Whole-Fat Dairy

Dairy products are rich in calcium, protein, and all kinds of other vitamins and minerals that are nutritious for your heart, body, and mind. However, whole-fat dairy products unfortunately add a lot of saturated fat into the mix. Saturated fats raise your cholesterol, increasing your risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. You should include dairy into your diet, but aim for the non-fat or reduced fat varieties.

Prepared Salads

These days, anything containing the word “salad” is considered a good thing, but prepared salads at your favorite restaurant are packed with sodium, fat, and calories. Tuna, shrimp, and chicken salads are often the biggest culprits as they load on the mayonnaise, sauces, and salt for flavor, but that can just lead to some salads containing over 1,000 calories. What’s worse is that the concept of a salad creates a false sense of security. Get used to the fact that “salad” does not always equate to “healthy.” If you’re eating out, order your salad with light, low-fat mayo and practice portion control.

Diet plays a large role in your heart health, but remember that the best way to stay healthy is to practice whole-body health. Make sure you get plenty of exercise and get regular checkups.


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