A clogged artery develops over time as fat, oxidised cholesterol, calcium, and cellular waste collect and build up as plaque along the walls. This interferes with the free flow of oxygenated blood throughout your body. The immune system also elicits a response by releasing white blood cells to fight the problem, resulting in inflammation.
It can lead to a heart disease, stroke, or a heart attack and that’s why making changes to your diet and lifestyle is important to support your cardiovascular health. Here are Synergy Nutrition’s top 12 foods for clogged arteries.
1. Pomegranate Juice
The high antioxidant content and punicic acid in pomegranate juice are thought to help decrease plaque formation, unclog arteries, and fight atherosclerosis. Pomegranate juice also contains important nutrients for heart health, such as magnesium and selenium. In a randomised, double-blind, parallel study published in the American Journal of Cardiology in 2009, researchers found that drinking 240 mls of pomegranate juice daily for up to 18 months slowed the progression of carotid artery disease for patients at risk of coronary health disease.
2. Spinach
Spinach contains natural fiber, potassium, and folate, which all work to prevent blockages within the arteries as well as lower blood pressure. This dark leafy vegetable protects against cardiovascular disease by reducing levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that is thought to lead to strokes and heart attacks in elevated levels.
3. Garlic
Garlic is also considered one of the better foods that unclog your arteries. Studies have found that garlic can help prevent heart disease, lower blood pressure, and slow down atherosclerosis. In a study published in the journal Atherosclerosis in 1999, researchers found that garlic could prevent plaque buildup in the arteries.
4. Ginger
Want to know how to clean your arteries naturally? Use ginger! Ginger has incredible anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. Ginger contains heart-protective compounds like shogaols and gingerols, which can effectively prevent plaque buildup and unclog arteries by reducing total cholesterol. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2000, researchers found that ginger extract could reduce aortic atherosclerotic lesion areas, cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, LDL-linked fat peroxides, and LDL aggregation.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric is a popular spice used in Indian and Ayurvedic cooking. The primary polyphenol in turmeric called curcumin has long been known for its cardioprotective effects. Turmeric extract is thought to reduce LDL cholesterol and the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
6. Olive Oil
Known for its ability to protect against cardiovascular diseases, olive oil has a high content of antioxidants. The polyphenols and healthy fats in the oil work to lower cholesterol and oxidative stress in the bloodstream.
Olive oil has been proven in clinical studies to lower the risk of clogged arteries and other cardiovascular issues by 41%. This is attributed to a reduction in the LDL levels and boost in the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels to eliminate plaque buildup.
7. Lemon
Adding lemon juice in your morning water is a healthy habit and good for your heart. Lemon is known to reduce blood cholesterol levels, and it helps the arteries by preventing oxidative damage. Lemons are also a great source of the potent antioxidant vitamin C. High doses of vitamin C have been found to strengthen arteries, reduce total cholesterol, increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL), inhibit platelet aggregation, and reduce inflammation.
8. Ground Flaxseed
Flaxseed is another important food for heart health. Ground flaxseed can help unclog arteries with high fiber. It is also a good source of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 acid that can lower inflammation and blood pressure. In turn, arteries will not become clogged. In a 1997 study published in the journal Atherosclerosis, researchers found that flaxseed lowered the development of aortic atherosclerosis by 46% in rabbits.
9. Fermented Cabbage
Kimchi is a popular probiotic Korean recipe that includes fermented cabbage and hot peppers that has been found to slow the atherosclerotic process. A 2007 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that an active compound in kimchi called 3-94-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl can help prevent the development of aortic atherosclerosis in high-cholesterol-fed rabbits. Fermented cabbage has also found to degrade toxic chemicals, including bisphenol A and the insecticide chlorpyrifos
10. Watermelon
With its high content of L-citrulline, an amino acid that reduces inflammation while lowering blood pressure, watermelon may be effective for treating clogged arteries. The fruit also has the ability to stimulate nitric oxide production to expand and clear arteries.You could potentially prevent clogged arteries by incorporating one cup of watermelon, or one glass of watermelon juice, into your daily diet.
11. Whole Grains
Whole grains such as bread, brown rice, pasta, barley, oats and quinoa may help dissolve blocking matter in the arteries and keep the passageways clear.
12. Green Tea
Used as an antioxidant, green tea contains the flavanoid catechin, which studies suggest lowers cholesterol absorption to prevent clogged arteries. The compound also boosts metabolism which can help with weight issues that can lead to cardiovascular problems such as blockage.
