Flora helps Heart Awareness Month with tips

By: Trademagazin Date: 2023. 02. 24. 11:35

In Hungary, about a third of the population suffers from high blood pressure, 49 percent of deaths are caused by cardiovascular diseases, for example, in 2019, about 64 thousand people died because of this in Hungary – this means an average of more than five thousand deaths per month. These data also show that we must pay attention to the health of our heart, since this organ is the engine of our body, it works day and night to operate the circulatory system and supply our cells with nutrients. Heart Awareness Month is held in February, in connection with which Brigitta Bakk, Dietician at Flora, helps us with a few tips on how we can take care of our heart health.

Let’s eat more of these

According to Brigitta Bakk, the key to preventing heart disease is to eat healthy, in addition to regular exercise. For example, it is worth getting to know the Mediterranean diet, and it is also recommended to pay particular attention to the consumption of some foods or ingredients. It is recommended to consume 400-600 grams (4-5 servings) of vegetables and fruits per day, both raw and cooked. In addition to containing vitamins and minerals, these also contribute to ensuring the daily fiber intake. Berries, for example, have a high antioxidant content, so they are also recommended for their preventive effect.

In addition, it is important to consume high-quality (unsaturated) fatty acids, because this can also reduce the risk of strokes. Consumption of high-quality vegetable oils, such as rapeseed oil, olive oil, and margarines, also effectively improves the ratio of good to bad fatty acids. For example, the high-quality oils obtained from seeds found in Flora margarines contain valuable Omega 3&6 fatty acids, and when included in a varied, balanced diet, can contribute to maintaining normal blood cholesterol levels.

Better to avoid it

In addition to the intake of the foods recommended above, it is important to avoid certain ingredients or reduce the intake. Moderate daily salt consumption, for example, has been proven to have a beneficial effect on blood pressure control. The recommended amount is a maximum of 5 grams (approx. 1 teaspoon) per day. Avoiding various ready-made products (cheeses, cold meats, breads, canned goods) greatly contributes to reducing salt, since 80% of our salt intake comes from these often very high salt products. Reducing sugar intake can also be beneficial, as it helps maintain a normal body weight, which is essential for maintaining our health.