Foods to Unclog Arteries

Healthy and unclogged arteries are very important for the normal functioning of the heart and thereby whole body. It is one of the main components regulating blood circulation in the body. It is the major part of the blood circulatory system. It is a tube-like structure that transports fluids like blood & lymph to and fro every part of the body.

Arteries are majorly responsible for the transportation of oxygen, hormones, and nutrients in our bodies.

Arteries are made out of smooth muscle permitting dilation and contraction through the parasympathetic nervous system.

Because the artery is responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to other parts of the body they need to have a clear and unclogged passage. Clear and unclogged passage helps in the proper flow of blood to and fro.

What are the reasons for clogged arteries?

Too much cholesterol is a reason for many health complications. It is very important to manage cholesterol levels for a healthy and stress-free life. It is one of the major reasons responsible for clogged arteries.

Cholesterol gets accumulated on the walls of the arteries making the passage narrow and blocked. This blockage reduces the flow of blood through arteries and not every part of the body including the heart gets the proper amount of oxygenated blood.

Inflammation is also responsible for clogged arteries. This clogged artery situation is also known as Coronary artery disease or arterial plaque.

What happens if you have clogged arteries?

When your artery is clogged and the passage for blood to travel is narrow your heart is unable to get enough oxygenated blood. This can lead to Angina (a situation of pain in the chest because of reduced blood flow to the heart) and uneasiness in breathing.

If there is complete clogging in the arteries, it can lead to a heart attack. 

Signs and symptoms of clogged arteries.

Clogged arteries show the following symptoms in the body:

• Crushing pain in the chest
• Pressure on chest
• Pain in arms and shoulders
• Shortness of breath
• Abnormal sweating
• Heart palpitations
• Neck pain
• Jaw pain
• Nausea
• Fatigue

Can you unclog your clogged arteries?

If you have gone through tests and it shows that you are dealing with clogged arteries, don’t panic. Panic will worsen the situation even more. Visit your doctor and ask for his guidance to help you out. You can also make efforts to improve your situation. You can opt for a lifestyle that will help you in clearing down the clogs and remove the blockage from arteries. Some of such lifestyle changes that you can make are:

• Exercising and physical activities
• Stress management
• Dietary changes
• Management of sleeping cycles

How food helps in unclogging arteries?

Involving some foods in your diet can help in clearing up the blocked arteries. Some of the foods that might help are:

Broccoli- This cruciferous vegetable rich in Vitamin K is very beneficial to deal with unclogged arteries. 

Broccoli helps in preventing calcification in arteries and also helps in stress management. It is a very good vegetable to control blood pressure too. So include Broccoli in your diet and see the magic of this wonderful vegetable.

Garlic - It is known to control blood pressure and to reduce the amount of plaque in the arteries, thus supporting the clearing of blocked arteries. It also helps in preventing arteries from becoming stiff because of plaque accumulation.

A compound called allicin is released from garlic which reduces the risk of heart-related complications. It also slows down the oxidation of LDL.

Spices -  Spices like pepper, chili, ginger, and cinnamon help in preventing artery clogging. They help in improving blood cholesterol levels thus preventing the accumulation of lipids in arteries.

Spice like cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties and prevents platelets from clumping in the blood.

Pomegranate - Rich in antioxidants, pomegranate has several heart-protecting benefits. It helps in slowing down the cholesterol build-up in the blood and also in reducing the LDL (low-density lipoprotein).

Pomegranate protects the walls of arteries from getting damaged. Production of nitric acid is accelerated in the body on the consumption of pomegranate juice which helps in improving blood flow and reducing the risk of clots formation in the blood.

Turmeric- Rich in curcumin, turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties. It helps in reducing fatty deposits in arteries and also reduces arterial inflammation. Include turmeric in your diet the way you like and see its magic. It also improves the endothelial function in the body.

Asparagus - It is a very fibrous vegetable rich in vitamins like B1, B2, C, E, and K. It is also known as natural artery-clearing food. It prevents the formation of blood clots in the arteries and also helps in lowering down and controlling blood pressure.

It is an amazing vegetable to keep you away from the risk of many cardiovascular diseases. If you are already dealing with clogged arteries, introduce this green vegetable to your diet and it will help in clearing the blockage and unclogging the arteries.

Berries - Berries like blackberries, cranberries, raspberries, and blueberries are very good sources of natural fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They have anti-inflammatory properties and are known to improve the health of your heart.

Berries reduce the risk of the rising level of LDL and blood sugar levels. They help in unclogging the arteries because of their anti-inflammatory property. They also prevent artery damage and increase HDL.

Tomatoes - Eating raw tomatoes as a salad can be an amazing vegetable to unclog your clogged arteries. Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is known to be your heart’s best friend. It is also helpful in reducing the cholesterol level in the blood.

Beans - It is an excellent way to keep an eye on your cholesterol level. Include beans in your diet and maintain your cholesterol levels also protect yourself from the risk of clogged arteries.

It helps in reducing blood pressure levels and lowering LDL, thus helping in clearing the clogs too.

It is very important to remember that a healthy diet is just one component of maintaining healthy arteries. Other lifestyle factors, such as not smoking, getting regular physical activity, and managing stress, can also play a role in preventing or managing plaque buildup in the arteries. If you have concerns about your risk of heart disease or your overall cardiovascular health, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider.