Arterial blood vessels carry blood rich in oxygen and nutrients to every cell in the body. Imagine if such an important artery is blocked, various health problems will certainly occur in the body, because it does not get a supply of oxygen and nutrients.
Foods high in saturated fat, refined sugar and chemicals, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise are all factors that cause narrowing of the blood vessels. This condition is called arteriosclerosis – thickening of the artery walls due to plaque buildup and is a major risk factor for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Then, can the blockage in the arteries be cleared? According to WebMD, lifestyle changes, including what you eat, can prevent severe damage to clogged arteries. A study even shows that the blockage in the arteries will decrease after one year of changing your lifestyle, and the arteries will return to health (without blockages) after 5 years.
Want to know the best foods that can help clean arteries and prevent plaque from forming? Here is a list of 20 foods to clean plaque in the arteries, as reported by Healthy and Natural World.
Pomegranate
Pomegranate can prevent the hardening of the arteries and even clean the plaque that has formed. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition provides evidence that pomegranate juice has a strong antiatherogenic effect. In other words, pomegranate juice can protect against the formation of fatty deposits within the artery walls. This is related to the antioxidant content of pomegranate.
Garlic
Garlic has long been known as a heart protector, because of its effects that can help keep arteries clean and help reduce blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels. To get the medicinal effect, you can consume one to two chopped raw garlic cloves. Meanwhile, if you prefer a garlic supplement, look for one that has a high amount of allicin. Allicin is the active ingredient in garlic.
