Are you eating your share of fruits and veggies? Fruits and vegetables are important sources of fiber necessary for keeping your heart healthy. The American Heart Association recommends that you eat at least 25 to 30 grams of dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble forms, every day.
Foods rich in soluble fiber include oat bran, nuts, barley, flax seed and psyllium husk. These foods help to support cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels already in the normal range. Insoluble fiber food sources include whole wheat products, dried fruits, seeds and nuts. Insoluble fiber helps to promote regular bowel movements and assists in removing toxic wastes from the colon.
When regularly eaten as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, soluble fiber may help to support overall cardiovascular health. To keep your heart healthy, make sure to eat at least 5 servings of fruit and veggies a day, as well as at least 6 servings of grain products per day. Your heart will thank you for it!