Dr. Monika Sanghavi, cardiologist, tells patients to eat more of this food: “They’re a superfood for the heart”

We have all been told that maintaining a balanced diet that provides you with all the nutrients, minerals and vitamins that you need is key to leading a healthy life. Some foods though are particularly good for certain bodily functions and parts of the body.

In the case of the heart, there are a number of foods that help keep our blood pump healthy like fish that have high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, dark leafy greens, and berries. For cardiologist Dr. Monika Sanghavi, her number one food is almonds.

“A superfood for the heart”

Sanghavi told the HuffPost that almonds are “a superfood for the heart” thanks to the many benefits they provide. She explains that eating almonds helps reduce LDL cholesterol, the bad kind, and increase the good kind, HDL cholesterol levels.

Almonds are also a good source of fiber, which also helps reduce LDL cholesterol and control glucose levels in addition to being beneficial for digestion. So, having a handful of them 30 minutes before a meal can prevent you blood sugar levels from spiking and they increase your feeling of satiety to boot.

Additionally, she shared that they “improve blood vessel function, decrease inflammation, reduce blood sugar, improve insulin resistance and can improve blood pressure if eaten consistently.”

However, you should eat them raw and unsalted. Consuming them with chocolate, salted or fried will reduce or even eliminate the aforementioned health benefits.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.