When youre eating for heart health, not all protein is equal.
This protein source can help decrease your risk of heart disease.
Chances are, you have questions about protein.
Photo:PHOTOGRAPHER: JEN CAUSEY, FOOD STYLIST: MARGRET MONROE DICKEY, PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINE KEELY
So which protein foods should you be including on your plate?
To get you started, we asked the experts for their top protein pick for heart health.
Read on to find out what they recommend.
Why Is Heart Health Important?
Heart disease is the No.
1 cause of death in the U.S. Heres why fish earns the top spot for the No.
1 protein for heart health.
The body cant make omega-3 fatty acids, so it is dependent on dietary intake.
Salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel are some of the fish varieties highest in omega-3s.
Having high triglyceride levels puts you at increased risk for heart disease.
Anti-Inflammatory Nutrients
Fatty fish arent only a good source of omega-3 fats.
Fish are clearly a great choice.
But dont stop there.
Cardiologists are also huge fans ofplant proteinfrom foods like beans, pulses, tofu, edamame and quinoa.
Plant-based proteins are one of the healthiest, says Campbell.
American Heart Association.Picking Healthy Proteins.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart Disease Facts.
American Heart Association.What kind of diet helps heart health?
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Zhang B, Xiong K, Cai J, Ma A.Fish Consumption and Coronary Heart Disease: A Meta-Analysis.Nutrients.
2022 Jul 28;128(2):367-368. doi: 10.1017/S0007114522001519].Br J Nutr.
2021; 26(11):3369.https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26113369
American Heart Association.Added Sugars.
American Heart Association.Limiting Alcohol to Manage High Blood Pressure.
2022 Apr 1;5(4):e2212024.
doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.12024].JAMA Netw Open.
2022;5(3):e223849.
Published 2022 Mar 1. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.3849
