It is no secret to anyone that in recent years it is precisely diseases of the organs of the cardiovascular system that make up the bulk of the causes of disability and mortality in the adult population of our country. The main risk factors, scientists include standard conditions: a sedentary lifestyle, bad habits, malnutrition. In this regard, a special diet for the core becomes one of the fundamental aspects of the successful treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels.  

What foods should be included in the diet of the “core” and what should be avoided, consider right now.

Useful, necessary, important

Mandatory components of any medical nutrition, including core diets , are products containing vitamins and minerals that are important for the body. What are these products? 

Leafy vegetables of a dark green color, ordinary vegetables, green beans, peas, soybeans, fruits, fish, whole grains are an ideal source of B vitamins. In cardiovascular diseases, these vitamins become indispensable. Vitamin B1, for example, regulates heart muscle contractions, B6 relieves vascular spasms and normalizes the blood supply to the heart, folic acid and vitamin B12 reduce the risk of clogging of blood vessels.

Carrots, lettuce, parsley, green onions, rose hips, apricots, sea-buckthorn contain a tremendous amount of vitamin A. The famous beta-carotene is very useful for cores, as, among other things, it helps strengthen blood vessels.

Sour-milk products, seafood, low-fat varieties of hard cheeses, cottage cheese, liver and sea fish meat (cod, halibut, herring, mackerel, tuna) supply vitamin D to the body. A diet for cores must include these products, since vitamin D helps lower blood pressure .  

Germinated wheat, asparagus, whole grain cereals and mangoes are a source of vitamin E. For people suffering from vascular and heart diseases, vitamin E is urgently needed. It prevents the oxidation of bad cholesterol and its sedimentation on the walls of blood vessels, is an excellent antioxidant, reduces the risk of thrombosis.

In addition to vitamins, most of these products contain trace elements important for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc. It is recommended to include products containing these trace elements in the daily menu during the treatment of heart diseases, and as a prophylaxis against severe illnesses.

Strictly forbidden

And now we’ll talk about what foods the therapeutic and prophylactic diet for the core eliminates partially or completely.  

The first thing you have to give up is stimulant products. Any drinks that act on the heart and central nervous system excitingly are prohibited. This is not only all alcoholic drinks, but also strong tea, coffee, cocoa, hot chocolate. Ordinary chocolate bars, spices and hot condiments are also prohibited.

Salt is the enemy of heart number 1. It is the “white death” that creates a tremendous burden on the heart, retaining fluid in the tissues, the excess of which increases blood pressure. Therefore, if possible, it is necessary to completely exclude from the diet pickles and marinades, smoked meats, sausages, fatty hard cheeses, ketchup, mayonnaise, etc.

It is necessary to control the salt content in cooked dishes with special care – “it is better to salt out than to salt.” Better yet, choose an alternative to salt, which can be lemon juice, cranberries, garlic, herbs.