Eat for Your Heart's Content

Consuming these seven superfoods can keep you healthy.

by Nancy Kalish

Researchers have whipped up a new recipe to fight heart disease--and it's delicious. It's a selection of seven superfoods, each shown to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and other heart disease risk factors. Working all seven into your diet could cut your risk by 76%, according to a report in the British Medical Journal.

Garlic: A couple of teaspoons (3/4 ounce) weekly; cuts risk by 25%.

Fruits and Vegetables: Five or more servings per day; contain antioxidants; cuts risk by 21%.

Fish: A serving the size of a deck of cards (4 ounces) four times weekly; contains omega-3 fatty acids, which slow formation of artery-clogging plaque; cuts risk by 14%.

Almonds: A large handful (2.5 ounces, or about 50 nuts) a day; contain vitamin E; cuts risk by 12.5%.

Wine: A glass (up to 5 ounces) per day; contains antioxidants; cuts risk by 32%.

Dark Chocolate: Up to one large candy bar (3.5 ounces) a day (less if you're dieting); contains polyphenols; cuts risk by 21%.

Article from Prevention Magazine, January 2007