The heart can age faster than its passport age, and it is not the years that are to blame, but the contents of the plate.
Cardiologist Vikas Sunder , citing data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , said that every fifth American woman has heart muscle that is 5 years older than her biological age.
For some, the gap reaches a decade. The reason is three products that imperceptibly destroy blood vessels and disrupt the rhythm.
First on the list were trans fats. They are found in fast food, margarine and industrially produced confectionery products.
These fats increase levels of "bad" cholesterol (LDL), forming plaque on the walls of arteries.
Research shows that even 2% of trans fats in the diet increases the risk of heart attack by 23%.
The second enemy is excess salt. Half a teaspoon above the norm (5 g per day) provokes fluid retention, increasing blood pressure. Hypertension damages blood vessels, forcing the heart to work to the point of exhaustion.
The third threat is refined sugar. It causes sharp spikes in glucose, damaging the inner lining of capillaries and triggering chronic inflammation.
To protect yourself, the cardiologist advises replacing dangerous foods with whole grains, lean meat and vegetables.
Broccoli and spinach provide potassium, which counteracts the damage of sodium.
Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel) restores the elasticity of arteries thanks to omega-3.
It is better to exclude alcohol: it disrupts the balance of electrolytes, provoking arrhythmia.
Physical activity—150 minutes a week—reduces the biological age of the heart by 3-4 years.
The heart muscle loves rhythm, not extremes, doctors are sure. Healthy eating and exercise are the only "pills" against premature aging.
Author: Elena Shimanovskaya