3 Holiday Foods with Surprising Heart Benefits

We often hear about what holiday foods we should avoid.  Eggnog, for instance is loaded with fat, sugar, and empty calories. But what we don’t hear about are the heart-healthy holiday foods you can indulge in, guilt-free.

Here are three foods you can enjoy at the holiday season, and all year long:

1. Caramelized nuts. Roasting nuts with a bit of honey or maple syrup, and sea salt or sesame seeds sprinkled on top is a healthy holiday treat. Some of the best heart-healthy nuts to choose are almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, and pecans which contain healthy unsaturated fats. Almonds are also a good source of gamma tocopherol, a form of vitamin E that neutralizes artery damaging peroxynitrite (a free radical).

2. Biodynamic red wine.  Red wine enjoyed in moderation is a good heart-healthy choice. It contains resveratrol, a phytonutrient with cardio-protective benefits. Red wine helps to boost “good” HDL cholesterol, as well as nitric oxide that helps to relax the arterial walls and improve blood pressure.  If it’s available, choose biodynamic red wine, which is grown organically and in keeping with Nature’s moon cycles. That way you’re getting all of the healthy benefits without pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides.

3. Dark chocolate. Believe it or not, dark chocolate which contains 65% polyphenol-rich cocoa is one of the best heart-healthy desserts you can choose. It helps to lower blood pressure levels and helps to lower your risk of cardiometabolic disorders. In fact, research shows higher chocolate consumption was linked with a 37% reduction in cardiovascular disease and a 29% reduction in strokes.

Now it’s your turn: What’s your favorite holiday food?

You May Also Be Interested In:

• A Heart-Healthy Side Dish: Baked Winter Squash
• The Heart-Healthy Truth About Eggs