Many studies have found that including lean chicken as part of your eating pattern can lead to a reduction in “bad” LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol, as well as less risk of heart disease.
Consider eating chicken instead of red meat, especially if you're prone to heart diseases.
A food rich in protein, chicken can help with weight management and reduce the risk of heart disease. Chicken contains the amino acid tryptophan, which has been linked to higher levels of serotonin (the “feel good” hormone) in our brains.
Chicken products contain cholesterol, carcinogens, and contaminants. Cholesterol, carcinogens, pathogens, and even feces found in chicken products increase the risk of heart disease, breast and prostate cancers, urinary tract infections, and foodborne illness.
Chicken, by nature, has lower cholesterol and lower fat than most meats. Chicken breast contains the least cholesterol, followed by the thighs, wings, and legs.
Image credit: Public domain. The findings suggest that eating up to one egg per day may help lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Eggs are a rich source of dietary cholesterol, but they also contain a variety of essential nutrients.
Least healthy meats
Processed Meats: Notably, there are over 200 types of cold cuts and processed meats. These include hot dogs, bologna, and Vienna sausages. Processed meat is often made of less healthy organs like the stomach, lips, and heart.
The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. If you don't have time during the day to exercise get up and walk around for at least 10 minutes three times during your work day—and always, always take the stairs.
Cardiologists say that while sugar is considered the top enemy for your heart, people who overeat rice are at an equal risk of getting a heart disease. So, people who eat too many candies or too much rice should watch out their heart health.
How can someone strengthen their heart muscle? “A good diet, exercise and controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol all help promote a strong heart and prevent heart disease. For people who already have a weak heart, low sodium intake, proper exercise and compliance with medications can all prevent more problems.
May Elevate Your Cholesterol Levels
If you're eating KFC almost every day, your cholesterol levels are likely higher than they should be. However, this leads to high LDL(low-density lipoprotein), a harmful type of cholesterol.
Lean meat, poultry and fish, low-fat dairy products, and eggs are some of the best sources of protein. Choose lower fat options, such as skinless chicken breasts rather than fried chicken patties and skim milk rather than whole milk. Fish is a good alternative to high-fat meats.
Excess of anything is bad and the same rule applies to chicken. Eating chicken every day is not bad, but you need to be cautious while choosing the right one and cooking it right too. Chicken may cause food poisoning because of salmonella, a bacterium found in poultry chicken that can cause food-borne illnesses.
Heart health benefits
Coffee is full of health benefits. According to the American College of Cardiology, drinking two to three cups of coffee per day is associated with maintaining a healthy heart.
The rule of thumb is that heart patients with a normal lipid profile (blood cholesterol levels under control) can consume an egg once in a week while those with a high lipid profile (higher cholesterol levels) should restrict their intake of eggs to once a month.
Most healthy people can eat up to seven eggs a week without increasing their risk of heart disease. Some studies have shown that this level of egg consumption might even help prevent certain types of stroke and a serious eye condition called macular degeneration that can lead to blindness.
Eating one medium apple a day may help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation, the authors concluded. Unpeeled apples are good sources of both fiber and compounds called polyphenols that benefit heart health.
Love Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Korean or Vietnamese food? Asian cuisine offers a rainbow of vegetables and lean proteins. But hidden salt, fat and other stealthy additives can quickly sabotage this heart-healthy fare.
Examples: Brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, playing tennis and jumping rope. Heart-pumping aerobic exercise is the kind that doctors have in mind when they recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity.