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Useful foods for strengthening the heart and blood vessels: the list of

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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It would seem that if people eat better, they live longer. Better in the understanding of many means more satisfying, tastier and in abundance. In fact, this is not so, especially for the cardiovascular system. Which, in addition to products for the heart and blood vessels, is adversely affected by stress, physical inactivity, unhealthy habits and lifestyle.

Healthy foods for the heart and blood vessels

When studying the geography of cardiovascular diseases, it was noted that Europeans living on the sea coast live longer and suffer less from heart disease - than, for example, Americans. The problem of excess weight also worries such people less.

It turned out that it's all about the diet of Italians, French, Greeks, and Spaniards: their diets are dominated by healthy foods for the heart and blood vessels. And this is natural, because these lands have enough fresh fruits all year round, and the waters have seafood. There is no need to stock up on pickles and marinades for the winter, or eat hard-to-digest foods, washing them down with soda.

The diet of southern Europeans was called the Mediterranean diet, and it soon became popular among those who care about their health and figure. Of course, it is not so easy to stick to it in our latitudes, but there are enough products for the heart and blood vessels here. The most useful ones are on this list.

  1. Fish is the basis of a "cardiovascular" diet, an alternative to most types of ball. Fatty acids reduce the risk of diseases.
  2. Oatmeal and bran are useful because of their fiber, which removes cholesterol.
  3. Olive oil makes food tastier and healthier due to its richness in vitamins A, E, and fatty acids. Prevents the development of atherosclerosis.
  4. Broccoli is rich in sulforaphane, which prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
  1. Garlic contains over 70 heart-healthy components. It stimulates blood flow and lowers blood pressure.
  2. Pumpkin is a source of beta-carotene, potassium, vitamins. Reduces blood pressure, balances water and salts.
  3. Soy products are high in protein and low in fat.
  4. Dried apricots and fresh apricots contain potassium, which is essential for the heart.
  5. Nuts, especially pine nuts, walnuts, almonds: a source of vegetable fats and protein, vitamins and minerals.
  6. Chocolate with 70% cocoa content – to prevent blood thickening.

Products for strengthening and elasticity of blood vessels

There is also good news. According to official data, heart attacks and other problems can be prevented in 80% of cases by preventive dietary adjustments. In particular, by using products in the menu to strengthen and make blood vessels more elastic.

But first, about the opposite, that is, harmful. Abundant fatty foods of animal origin are harmful to blood vessels: pork, smoked cheeses and meat products, butter. The same list includes flour sweet pastries with margarines and fatty creams.

Alcohol and smoking are not conducive to health. Dizziness, tinnitus, numbness of the extremities, constantly cold fingers, pressure surges, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, sensitivity to the weather, and heat intolerance indicate circulatory disorders.

Products for the heart and blood vessels that strengthen and increase the elasticity of blood vessels include the following:

  1. Fish, white meat without fat layers.
  2. Fruits, olive oil.
  3. Natural honey.
  4. Onion, garlic.

  1. Eggplants, cucumbers.
  2. Porridge, muesli.
  3. Soybeans.
  4. Grapefruit, currant.
  5. Nuts
  6. Teas – green, rosehip, chokeberry.

It is naive to think that one or two products can ensure complete health of the cardiovascular system; on the contrary, nutrition should be balanced in terms of key indicators and certainly varied. It is advisable to eat as many fresh vegetables and fruits as possible. Cook dishes by steaming, baking, stewing. The priority is the presence of vitamins useful for the heart in products: PP, C, B, K, E, A.

Products for the brain vessels

The brain is the nerve center of the human body. It is the one that is responsible for directing human actions and ensuring an adequate response to external stimuli.

Modern nutritionists are constantly in active search to develop effective diets from products for the heart and blood vessels. After all, diseases of the cardiovascular system in general and cerebral vessels in particular are a real scourge of modern humanity. At risk, first of all, are people of intellectual work.

One of the diets offers ten of the most useful products for the brain. They contain substances necessary for the main system of the body: lecithin, vitamins B, C, omega-3 acids, magnesium, calcium, iron, glucose.

  1. Spinach and leafy greens are rich in magnesium, which protects against stress.
  2. Chicken fillet contains the antioxidant lecithin, which is especially important for brain function.
  3. Fatty fish and seaweed are rich in fatty acids, which are a component of the brain and nerve endings, as well as iodine, lecithin, and choline.
  4. Potatoes are a source of potassium and slow carbohydrates.
  5. Dark chocolate is an antioxidant, energy supplier, and blood circulation stimulant.
  6. Eggs and liver contain lecithin, choline, calcium, iron, and vitamin B.
  7. Blueberries, dried fruits, rose hips are a source of vitamin C, glucose, necessary for brain function; prevent the formation of plaques.
  1. Water is one of the most useful products for the brain; deficiency leads to serious disruptions of all functions of the central nervous system.
  2. Nuts are rich in healthy fats and protein.
  3. Buckwheat and legumes supply iron, B vitamins, and carbohydrates.

Products for vasodilation

Unfortunately, over time, blood vessels become clogged, wear out, and lose strength and elasticity. This leads to various diseases, the most common of which are atherosclerosis and arterial hypertension.

There are many reasons for this condition, one of them is poor nutrition. In particular, eating spicy, fried, salty, fast food, canned food, lack of fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet.

Products for vasodilation can offer healthy competition to such food. They eliminate dangerous plaques - precursors to the formation of blood clots, cleaning and expanding the vascular lumens. The main active substance in the process of cleaning the central and peripheral vessels is plant fiber (the norm of consumption is about 30 g per day).

  1. Whole grain

Bread, buckwheat, oatmeal and buckwheat groats, with the help of dietary fiber, bind harmful cholesterol and remove toxins.

  1. Legumes

Ideal preventive measures against atherosclerosis and strokes. They have a vasodilatory effect and cleanse peripheral vessels.

  1. Asparagus

Excellent for cleaning large arteries, removing small blockages. Best absorbed as a side dish, drizzled with olive oil.

  1. Cabbage

All varieties of this vegetable are healthy due to the presence of vitamins that eliminate the risk of thrombosis.

  1. Turmeric

It has a beneficial effect on the brain: it thins the blood, burns fat, increases elasticity and reduces vascular inflammation.

  1. Spinach

A source of folic acid, which participates in the formation of blood cells. They saturate with oxygen, normalize pressure - blood and intracranial.

  1. Persimmon

A storehouse of useful things: polyphenols prevent cholesterol from sticking to the inner walls; fiber and antioxidants clean and expand them.

  1. Grenades

The juice promotes the production of a component that expands the lumen and improves blood flow. Protects the walls from injury and inflammation.

  1. Seaweed

They help produce healthy cholesterol, normalize blood pressure, and eliminate chronic inflammation in the arteries.

  1. Green tea

This drink is an excellent product for the heart and blood vessels, an antioxidant and a "cleaner" of blood vessels. At the same time, it lowers blood pressure and reduces the amount of harmful cholesterol.

Products to improve blood condition and cleanse blood vessels

To improve the condition of the blood and blood vessels, it is necessary to undergo a course of cleansing to remove cholesterol, which narrows the lumen of the vessels, making it difficult for the heart muscle to work.

During this period, it is important to pay special attention to the diet: it should be dominated by products to improve the condition of the blood and cleanse the vessels. If you look at it more broadly, this is a group of healthy products for the heart and blood vessels, as well as the body as a whole. Without such a diet, the effectiveness of other procedures can go down the drain. Zero effect will also be achieved in those who do not want to give up cigarettes and alcohol.

If the cleansing is done correctly, the results will not be long in coming: memory and body tone improve, sensitivity to weather and pressure surges decrease, headaches and dizziness are minimized.

Products and recipes for cleaning blood vessels:

  1. Lemons

They have antioxidant properties, strengthen the walls, stimulate lymph flow. They are especially effective when mixed with olive oil and honey, oranges and honey.

  1. Garlic and onion

They resist cholesterol, replenish the supply of microelements and bioactive substances. Garlic is infused in vegetable oil, chopped onion is mixed with honey.

  1. Walnuts

A source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, minerals that improve blood circulation. Eat ground with dried apricots and raisins, or tangerines, or a slice of pineapple and honey.

  1. Juices

In addition to cleansing the vessels, they remove toxins accumulated in the interstitial spaces and restore lymph circulation. The most effective juices are pure birch, apple, orange, beetroot with honey.

  1. Valerian root

Mix with honey and dill seeds (2 spoons of root for 2 cups of sweet product and a cup of seeds), pour boiling water to a volume of 2 liters. After 24 hours, take 1 tablespoon before meals. The course is to drink the entire infusion.

  1. Bay leaf tincture

Add 5 bay leaves to the lemon-garlic gruel (1 fruit: 2 heads). Pour a bottle of vodka over the mixture. The course of use begins after a month, the dose is 2 teaspoons three times a day, after meals.

  1. Garlic-alcohol tincture

The method of cleansing the vessels in this way is called Tibetan. The tincture is used according to a special scheme, increasing and then decreasing the dosage. It requires a strict diet, drinking a sufficient amount of clean still water, and completely eliminating alcohol. It is carried out once every six years.

  1. Vascular herbal collection

Another so-called Tibetan method. They use chamomile, immortelle, St. John's wort, birch buds, honey. Maintains the effect for five years.

  1. Cranberry juice

The cleansing is carried out for 3 weeks, taking half a glass: the first week - three times, the second - twice, the third - once a day.

  1. Rose hip

Tincture of fruits on alcohol stops the formation of plaques, increases immunity, rejuvenates and purifies the blood. Crushed fruits are poured with 0.5 l of alcohol, insisted in a dark place for 2 weeks, regularly shaking the jar. Take, adding to water in the proportion of 1 teaspoon of tincture per half a glass of water.

Before you start cleaning your blood vessels, it is recommended to clean your gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and liver so that toxins do not get into your blood and ruin your efforts. But such procedures are also stressful for your body, so it is better to consult a specialist about them.

Products to strengthen vein walls

Veins are vessels through which blood moves to the heart. They form a whole network in the body, which is part of the general cardiovascular system. Blood in the veins appears from the capillaries. From the heart, it flows through other vessels called arteries.

Strong veins are elastic, free from inflammation, damage, do not protrude outwardly above the skin as unpleasant lumps, do not hurt and do not threaten complications, primarily varicose veins.

What products for strengthening the walls of veins are included in the daily menu? First of all, they should contain enough vitamins and microelements, which serve as building material, resist inflammation, and cope with damage.

  1. All types of fermented milk products

Low-fat varieties of fermented milk products are useful for strengthening. Calcium strengthens, amino acids are easily absorbed, all together the substances protect against heart attacks and strokes.

  1. Fatty fish

Tuna, mackerel, salmon are some of the best products for the heart and blood vessels; they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce the risk of diseases, stimulate cholesterol metabolism, and eliminate inflammatory phenomena.

  1. Avocado

With regular use, it reduces cholesterol deposited on the walls, increases the amount of "good" cholesterol, from which elastin and collagen are formed. Zinc helps restore the walls.

  1. Cranberry

Regular presence of sour berries on the table, thanks to potassium and ascorbic acid, reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 40%. Contraindication - gastrointestinal problems during exacerbation.

  1. Nuts, dried fruits

Contains healthy fats, vegetable protein, and minerals.

  1. Seeds, plant oils

These products are a source of healthy natural oils. Everything is suitable: sesame, pumpkin, flax, sunflower, olives and their processed products.

  1. Grapefruit

Uniquely useful for blood vessels citrus. Pectins strengthen, clean the walls, vitamins and minerals restore elasticity.

  1. Honey

A universal beekeeping product, it is rich in vitamins, microelements and many other things necessary to boost immunity, protect against inflammation, and stimulate metabolism in the body.

  1. Garlic, onion

Garlic is useful both in cloves and in tincture, which is prepared independently and taken according to a special scheme.

  1. Eggplants

Removes excess fat and prevents vascular wall fragility.

From products for strengthening the walls of veins, you should prepare stewed, boiled, baked dishes so that they are easily digested and absorbed. Eat small portions, trying not to overeat. From drinks, teas are recommended - green, rosehip. The amount of water is standard: about one and a half liters per day.

Of course, it is unlikely that you will be able to use the entire list every day. And it is not necessary. It is enough to use at least one of the products from the list of products to strengthen the walls of veins every day.

Products for strengthening blood vessels in the legs

Strengthening blood vessels is a long process that requires complex measures, and heart and blood vessel strengthening products alone are not enough. Leg blood vessels become strong with a minimum of the following components: vitamins, microelements, fatty acids. What is the function of each of these components in terms of the health of blood vessels, blood, and heart?

  • Vitamin P in combination with C reduces the permeability of the walls, protects against capillary fragility, and restores damaged vessels.
  • B vitamins are essential for brain function: they stimulate memory, thinking, and the ability to perceive information. They regulate the central nervous system and participate in the renewal of nerve tissue. B5 participates in the hematopoietic process.
  • Vitamin E ensures the proper functioning of nervous and muscle tissue and protects cell membranes.
  • Zinc is necessary for strengthening the blood vessels of the lower extremities.
  • Copper is involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin.
  • Calcium reduces the sensitivity of blood vessels in the legs and head, regulates blood pressure and the functioning of the nervous system, and normalizes sleep.
  • Omega-3 acids are responsible for the transmission of impulses between nerve cells, improve memory and performance.

The following products contain the necessary substances to strengthen the blood vessels in the legs:

  1. Rose hips, currants, citrus fruits.
  2. Vegetable oils.
  3. Red pepper.
  1. Beef liver.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Cereals.
  4. Low-fat fermented milk drinks, cottage cheese.
  5. Cherry, sweet cherry, grapes.
  6. Clean water.
  7. Freshly prepared fruit drinks, herbal infusions.

One of the folk recipes for infusion: immortelle herb (25 g per glass of water), poured with boiling water, infused on low heat for 10 minutes, then about an hour - under the lid. Dosage - three times a day for 1/3 of a glass.

Returning to what was said above about a comprehensive approach: in addition to nutrition, blood vessels need medical and folk remedies, physical activity, a healthy lifestyle. It should also be taken into account that blood vessels do not like alcohol, spicy, salty and smoked food, processed foods, coffee.

Useful products for blood vessels with varicose veins

Varicose veins are the result of increased cholesterol levels in the blood and regular adrenaline rushes. People at risk include those who are overweight and have a sedentary lifestyle, those who work physically hard, while sitting or standing, and those with a genetic predisposition to such problems. In addition, women are more likely to develop varicose veins than men.

Unfortunately, the development of varicose veins is an irreversible process that requires a comprehensive approach and qualified treatment. A diet using healthy foods for blood vessels with varicose veins is not able to completely cure the patient, but it is quite capable, together with other methods, of slowing down the progression of the disease.

The diet for varicose veins includes the following dishes:

  1. Fish (stewed, steamed).
  2. Meat (boiled, low-fat).
  3. Assorted vegetables (except potatoes).
  4. Legumes.
  5. Sour fruits (kiwi, apples, citrus fruits).
  6. Berries (cherries, sweet cherries).
  1. Natural juices (dilute acidic juices with water by one third).
  2. Olive oil.
  3. Garlic with butter (for compresses on sore spots).
  4. Medicinal plants: horse chestnut, yarrow (in the form of decoctions – internally, ice cubes – externally, Kalanchoe tincture in alcohol – for wiping).

The following products are prohibited: confectionery, fried and fatty foods, spicy and smoked foods. It is recommended to drink coffee only with milk and no more than two servings per day.

The insidiousness of varicose veins is that even after surgical removal there is no guarantee that they will not reappear. If you ignore healthy eating and lifestyle, the risk of relapse increases.

Harmful products for blood vessels

Harmful products for blood vessels contain the following dangerous substances:

  • saturated animal and modified fats;
  • alcohol;
  • easily digestible carbohydrates;
  • cholesterol;
  • sodium;
  • sugar;
  • fructose.

Many of everyone's favorite foods and dishes are considered harmful to the heart and blood vessels.

  1. Red meat: rich in saturated fats, promotes the development of atherosclerosis. Alternatives are white meat, fish.
  2. Alcohol: reputable doctors consider it a drug, destructive to the heart, blood vessels, the body as a whole and the human personality. The alternative is sobriety.
  1. Trans fats: found in margarines, fast food, baked goods, and deep-fried foods. An alternative is natural vegetable oils.
  2. Liver, chicken skin: contain cholesterol. Alternatives are lean meat dishes, steamed, boiled, stewed.
  3. Tropical plant oils: a source of saturated fats. An alternative is natural oils with a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
  4. Yolks: source of cholesterol. Alternative – low-fat products.
  5. Soup concentrates, soy sauce, chips: contain excessive amounts of salt. An alternative to sodium is potassium.
  6. Butter, cream, sausage cheese: rich in cholesterol. An alternative is low-fat dairy products.
  7. Ready-made seasonings, mayonnaise, ketchup: contain too much salt and fat. An alternative is natural herbs, homemade sauces from natural ingredients.
  8. Carbonated drinks, sweets: source of sugar, fructose. Alternative – natural sweet products: fruits, juices, dried apricots.

The following foods are not suitable for the heart and blood vessels: sausages, confectionery with butter creams, sweets, large doses of tea and coffee, caviar, champagne and sparkling wines. Some nutritionists allow drinking beer in small doses: no more than 0.5 l for men and 0.33 l for women.

Most people, along with the priceless gift of life, receive no less priceless health, a strong heart with clean vessels. Alas, after several decades the picture deteriorates radically. That is why you need to take care of your health from a young age, making proper nutrition the norm of life, using healthy products for the heart and blood vessels, regulating your work routine, using health and hardening procedures.

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