If you love drinking tea, eating berries, or indulging in dark chocolate, you may be doing your heart a favor. According to a study, these foods and beverages are rich in flavonoids, which are natural substances that can protect your arteries from calcification.
Read on to find out how flavonoids can improve your cardiovascular health and prevent diseases like dementia.
What are flavonoids and where can you find them?
Flavonoids are plant compounds that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting properties. They can help prevent the build-up of plaque in your arteries, which can lead to heart attack, stroke and dementia.
Flavonoids are found in many common foods and drinks, such as black and green tea, apples, nuts, citrus fruit, berries, red wine and more.
What did the study find?
The study involved 881 elderly women who were followed for 15 years. The researchers measured their intake of flavonoids and their level of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), which is a predictor of cardiovascular risk. They found that women who had a higher intake of total flavonoids, flavan-3-ols and flavonols were 36-39 per cent less likely to have extensive AAC.
Black tea was the main source of flavonoids in the study and was also associated with lower odds of AAC.
How can you benefit from flavonoids?
The study suggests that consuming flavonoids regularly can help you maintain a healthy heart and brain as you age. However, if you are not a tea drinker, you can still get flavonoids from other sources. The researchers recommend eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts and dark chocolate to get the benefits of different types of flavonoids. You can also consult your doctor or nutritionist for more advice on how to include flavonoids in your diet.
Have a cup
Flavonoids are not only delicious but also beneficial for your health. By adding more flavonoid-rich foods and drinks to your diet, you can lower your risk of cardiovascular diseases and dementia.
So go ahead and put the kettle on, or grab a handful of berries or a piece of dark chocolate. Your heart will thank you for it.
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