While many are raving about how important the health of the heart should be, plenty are unaware that the heart’s health is also dependent on the blood vessels. The human blood vessels have three types. The one which brings oxygenated blood from the heart to different body parts is called the arteries. The one which brings unoxygenated blood from the various parts of the body back to the heart for oxygenation is called the veins. At the distant part of the body are the capillaries where exchange of oxygenated blood happens and nutrients are delivered.

It is very important for the blood vessels to be as healthy as possible because of its role of transporting oxygen and nutrients to and from the whole body system. Any problems in the blood vessels, particularly the arteries, will compromise the health of the whole body system. It is therefore important to also bring focus to healthy blood vessels. If a blood vessel, for instance is clogged, blood cannot pass through easily, which can therefore result to increasing blood pressure which can further complicate to diseases of the major organs of the body, such as the heart, brain and even the kidneys.

Stroke, heart attacks usually occurs when the blood vessels are unhealthy. But not only is the presence of substances that congest the flow of the blood makes the blood vessels unhealthy. There are also instances when the blood vessels are hardened, in the case of arteriosclerosis. Hardening of arteries is caused by many factors. Aside from the build-up of fats and cholesterol, which causes the blood vessel to work harder resulting to toughening of the tissues, unhealthy cells of the blood vessel may also result the disease. In order to attain healthy blood vessels, there must be a balance between activity and diet. Considering the diet factor, there are certain fruits that helps in promoting healthy blood vessels. Below are some of these fruits:

1. Blueberries

   Several studies were made on the health effects of blueberries towards the vascular system of the body. The study kept on pointing towards the phytonutrients that are contained in the blueberries that has strong effect on the blood vessels. In one study, participants were made to take 1 to 2 cups of blueberry juice within the span of at most 3 months. The result showed that total cholesterol and triglyceride level in the subjects were reduced. The HDL cholesterol, however, were raised. Blueberries also help prevent the LDL cholesterol from being damaged. When LDL is damaged, there will be increasing build-up of fats on the blood vessels resulting to clogging and damage to the blood vessel. Moreover, blueberries help in the reduction of inflammatory incidences of the vascular system due to the fruit’s phytonutrient content. As evidence, those who are taking blueberries regularly actually have reduction of blood pressure, an indication that blood vessels are healthy.

2. Oranges

   Eating vitamin C-rich oranges has actually shown great benefits towards the health of the blood vessels. The vitamin C is actually an effective antioxidant, cleaning the blood vessels of toxins that may be damaging to the tissues. But there is more in oranges. A piece of orange of about 130 grams weight can also provide about 10 percent of the body’s daily requirement for folate. Folate is very important to the body and the health of the blood vessels because it helps in lowering the homocysteine levels, which is responsible for the cardiovascular system to become diseased.  Orange also contains potassium, which can help in lowering the blood pressure, therefore offering protection to the blood vessels from working too hard. In another study, the peel of oranges has shown to be as effective as statin drugs, drugs that help in lowering the cholesterol levels. When cholesterol levels are lowered then there is assurance that blood vessels will remain healthy.

3. Tomatoes

   Tomatoes have long been known to be beneficial to the cardiovascular system. Several marketing strategies on tomato products put emphasis on lycopene, the carotenoid pigment of tomatoes. This pigment, which actually gives tomato its deep red color, has shown to be effective in preventing the lipids that are located in the bloodstream to be damaged. When the lipids are damaged, it causes the body to activate the inflammatory process. When this happens, there is high risk of blocking of the blood vessels leading to more problems. With lycopene found in tomato, healthy blood vessels are assured.

4. Cantaloupe

   A cup of cantaloupe can already provide about a hundred percent of vitamin A and vitamin C requirement. It also provides potassium and folate and numerous phytonutrients that has shown to have positive effect on the heart and the blood stream. The vitamin C and A of the fruit are very effective antioxidant. It scavenges on the fats that are located at the bloodstream, removing it to prevent further degradation that will eventually develop into a diseased blood vessel and a compromised cardiovascular system.

5. Papaya

   Christopher Columbus once described papaya as the fruit of the angels, owing to its taste and texture. But perhaps Columbus is right. Because not only is papaya heavenly in terms of taste and consistency, it is also a fantastic fruit in terms of the nutrients it can provide for the health of the cardiovascular system. For one, just a piece of roughly 300 grams of papaya can already provide more than 300 percent of the vitamin C daily value. It also offers high amounts of vitamin A, folate, potassium and fiber, essential nutrients for the health of the blood vessels. Moreover, papaya has astounding amounts of phytonutrients that help prevent degradation of the blood vessels. Vitamins A, C and E are important in preventing the damage of cholesterol in the blood vessels. When cholesterol is damaged or oxidized, the immune and inflammatory system of the body is activated, which results to plaque formation within the blood stream resulting to unhealthy cardiovascular system. Eating papaya can help prevent this scenario.

6. Grapes

   Grapes may be short of vitamin C, but it has huge storage of phytonutrients that act as antioxidants. With its strong antioxidant benefits, grapes can help in preventing damage to the blood vessels and the heart. Arteries and veins need a strong support of antioxidant compounds. This is because they are prone to accumulate fatty acids such as cholesterol. Without antioxidants, this accumulated cholesterol can be damaged through oxidative process and creates a blockage within the blood stream resulting to high blood pressure and other complication of the heart and blood stream. Just like the French who downs plenty of cups of grape wine daily, eating grapes, especially the skin, can help regulate the cholesterol, triglycerides and the blood pressure, resulting to healthier blood vessels and cardiovascular system.

Sources
webmd.com
whfoods.org