As the aroma of fresh produce wafts through the bustling markets of Bangladesh, a wealth of heart-healthy treasures awaits you. From the humble bottle gourd to the rich ruhi fish, the array of local vegetables, lentils, fruits, and nuts serves as natural healers, and we have brought you 7 names to your doorstep that can help improve your cardiac health.
Red lentil
Red lentil is a household staple — if there is nothing to eat with white rice, just add some cooked red lentils and enjoy. Being the ideal plant protein, it's also ideal for the heart: folate protects it, iron helps in RBC formation, and potassium helps against hypertension. The fibre in it prevents cholesterol from clogging our arteries.
Bottle gourd
This mildly sweet vegetable is delectable food that can aid heart health. The high water and fibre content help in weight management. Be it used in a curry or red lentils, it will make your heart sing all the way.
Peanuts
The hawkers ferrying this crunchy brown delicacy on the streets might not look too much to offer at first glance, but in reality, one handful does wonders. It helps in reducing LDL, the so-called "bad cholesterol", keeps the endothelium in arteries from inflammation, and decreases diabetes risk, which in fact affects the heart too.
Cucumber
Whether cucumber is a fruit or a vegetable is up for debate, but one thing is for sure: it's a cool food to have. Cucumber contains flavonoids, which help prevent blood clots in the heart, and low sodium does not spike your blood pressure.
Banana
It's delicious, inexpensive, and provides for a person's daily potassium needs. What's best is that its natural sugars give you energy minus the cholesterol, making it the number one choice after a good workout. If you have been eyeing the bunch of bananas sitting in your pantry, don't be afraid to do yourself a favour with their greatness.
Ruhi
The freshwater fish comes with an array of pros and little to no cons. The omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, maintain lower triglyceride levels, and ensure blood vessels are well functioning.
Onions
The benefits of onions go far beyond the kitchen drama. Packed with antioxidants and sulphur compounds, onions reduce blood cholesterol and lower the risk of stroke. While eating it raw offers the most perks, adding it to your curry and dishes will do the trick!
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