Did you know that heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States? On a happier note, it’s also the most preventable. The American Heart Association recognizes February as American Heart Month, an opportunity to remind Americans to focus on their hearts and encourage involvement from their friends, families, and communities.
Looking to reduce your risk of heart disease? Start by engaging in regular exercise and maintaining a nutritious diet. When it comes to following a healthy lifestyle, we all know the importance of fruits and vegetables. However, you may not know that you can snag those crucial nutrients in a multiple ways. There’s no need to limit your intake to whole fruit. All forms can fulfill your needs including fresh, frozen, canned, dried, and 100 percent juice. Check out our recipe page for some fun ideas.
Another way to lessen your risk is to maintain a healthy blood pressure. The higher the blood pressure, the higher the chance of heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, and kidney damage. Seventy-two million Americans over age 20 have high blood pressure, and research continues to demonstrate new ways to mitigate this. For instance, a recent study from Pharmacological Research shows that drinking pomegranate juice may be an effective method for reducing blood pressure. Researchers believe this power comes from the polyphenols and antioxidants abundant in pomegranate juice. So drink up!
Interested in making a difference during American Heart Month? The American Heart Foundation has some great ideas on how to spread the word.
