The World Health Organization’s
recent announcement that processed red meat increases the risk of cancer was a
serious wake-up call: Often the foods we don’t think twice about eating can
actually be seriously dangerous to our health.
Red meat, for example, doesn’t just increase the risk of cancer, it’s also
extremely bad for your heart. In any form, red meat contains the chemical
compound L-Carnation. Our body metabolizes this compound and converts to
methamphetamine-N-oxide (TMAO), which hardens cardiovascular arteries. But red
meat isn’t the only unhealthy culprit; watch out for these five everyday foods
that could do some major damage to your heart.
1. Pizza
It may seem too terrible to be true, but yes, your favorite cheesy slice could
do a number on your heart health. That’s because pizza is the filled with
saturated fat and sodium. In fact, your slice could contain nearly two-thirds
your daily limit of saturated fat, as recommended by the American Heart
Association. To reduce some of the damage, opt for whole-wheat crust, and top
your pie with veggies (rather than pepperoni and sausage).
2. French fries
Maybe you don’t want fries with that after all. While french fries may be your
go-to soul-feeding food, they’re actually really harmful to your heart. These
oil-soaked spuds boast a nice dose of saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium — all
of which are horrible for your ticker. To indulge in some fried potato goodness
without all the cholesterol-raising collateral damage, cook up some of your own
fries. Rather than deep-frying, cut up some spuds, toss them in olive oil,
sprinkle with salt, and then bake them until they’re nice and crispy on the
outside. Or go for an even healthier alternative, like lightly salted edamame.
3. Soda
You’ve known for years that soda isn’t exactly a healthy beverage — but research
has shown the added sugar is especially dangerous for your heart. That’s because
sugar increases blood pressure and triglyceride levels which leads to weight
gain and increased risk of heart disease. In fact, recent research has shown
that sugary drinks like soda significantly spike the risk of cardiovascular
disease, even when only consumed for two weeks by young, healthy individuals.
And don’t think you’re in the clear if you’ve made the switch to diet. One study
found that consuming a diet soda daily still increases the risk for stroke and
heart attack. In order to break your soda habit once and for all, try sipping on
sparkling water with just a splash of fruit juice. Or get your sugary fix the
natural way, with a piece of fruit.
4. Canned soup
A can of chicken soup may be your go-to when you’re feeling under the weather.
But we’ve got some bad news: That can is packed with more sodium than remedy. In
fact, one can of soup can contain anywhere from .5 grams to 1 gram. All of that
salt has been shown to raise blood pressure, which consequently leads to heart
disease and heart attacks. And beware of other sneaky sodium-rich foods like
frozen veggies and per-made meals at the grocery store.
5. Butter
This one shouldn’t come as any surprise, but as a friendly reminder: Butter is
bad for your heart. Along with mayo and sour cream, it’s extremely high in
saturated fat, which boosts cholesterol levels and can lead to atherosclerosis.
While it can be hard to avoid these creamy spreads entirely, try to cut back as
much as you can. One way to do so is using avocado in place of butter or mayo.
This may seem like an odd swap, but trust us; the green fruit will spare you all
the negative health consequences of butter without forgoing creaminess and
flavor.
(Special thanks to "Kristine Thomson" for impressive information's)