Why Your Heart Loves When You Chew Your Smoothies
Did you know that the simple act of chewing your fruits and vegetables can significantly boost your heart health? It’s not just what you eat, but how you eat it that matters. When you chew produce, your body produces Nitric Oxide – a powerful compound that helps dilate blood vessels and improve circulation within seconds.
The Science Behind Chewing and Heart Health
Your mouth is a remarkable chemical laboratory. When you chew fruits and vegetables, good bacteria in your mouth work with saliva to transform natural nitrates into nitrites. These nitrites then convert into Nitric Oxide, a molecule so significant it won “Molecule of the Year.” This process is key to maintaining optimal heart health.
Creating the Perfect Heart-Healthy Smoothie
Here’s how to craft a smoothie that maximizes these benefits:
Key Incredients
– Nitrate-rich leafy greens (fresh or frozen)
– Root vegetables, especially beet powder
– Fresh berries
– Almond milk
– High-quality protein powder
– Optional: Pomegranate juice for flavor enhancement
Pro Tip: Keep it thick enough to require chewing – this isn’t your typical quick-sip smoothie!
Understanding Nitrate Sources
The closer a vegetable grows to the soil, the higher its nitrate content. Top sources include:
– Beets (scientifically proven to lower blood pressure)
– Root vegetables
– Cabbage
– Dark leafy greens
– Berries (lower in nitrates but still beneficial)
– Pomegranate (helps preserve existing Nitric Oxide)
Important Health Notes
It’s crucial to distinguish between:
– Beneficial dietary nitrates from vegetables
– Processed meat nitrites (potentially harmful)
– Nitrous Oxide (N2O, used in dentistry)
Let’s not confuse these nitrates and Nitric Oxide (chemical formula NO) with the nitrite chemicals added to preserved and processed meats. Those will likely adversely affect our health.
Likewise avoid confusing Nitric Oxide with Nitrous Oxide (chemical formula N2O), the ‘laughing gas’ used by dentists for sedation.
So simply chewing the right foods makes for heart health. Who knew?
Final Thoughts
Ready to transform your heart health? Start with this simple yet powerful change to your daily smoothie routine. Your heart will thank you!
Best Health Always,
Dr D. Zone
Reference
Vikas Kapil, Alexandra B. Milsom, Michael Okorie, Sheiva Maleki-Toyserkani, Farihah Akram, Farkhanda Rehman, Shah Arghandawi, Vanessa Pearl, Nigel Benjamin, Stavros Loukogeorgakis, Raymond MacAllister, Adrian J. Hobbs, Andrew J. Webb, and Amrita Ahluwalia. Inorganic Nitrate Supplementation Lowers Blood Pressure in Humans.
Role for Nitrite-Derived NO. Hypertension, 2010;
DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.110.153536