Diet plays a critical role in maintaining heart health. The foods we eat can have a major impact on important factors like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and inflammation. A heart-healthy diet should be rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats; these foods provide the essential nutrients your heart needs to thrive. One great way to fit some of your daily nutrients into your diet and keep your heart as healthy as possible is with some delicious, homemade juice.
Luckily, TikToker @theplantcollective (a.k.a. Annie) recently shared an easy red juice recipe that combines several nutrient-dense ingredients known to boost cardiovascular function. This juice offers a delicious way to improve heart health (when paired with a balanced diet and daily movement, of course). Find the tasty, simple recipe below and get juicing!
@theplantcollectiveImprove your cardiovascular health with this delicious, red, heart healthy juice Benefits of this juice include: High nitrate content = lowers blood pressure, improves blood vessel function, and allows your lungs to take in more oxygen. Anti-inflammatory = speeds up healing, increases blood flow, and prevents heart conditions. Rich in antioxidants = fights inflammation, protects your body from oxidative stress, helps prevent plaque buildup in the arteries, and repairs tissue damage. Pair with a colorful diet and daily movement for best results! Ingredients: 4 large rainbow carrots 1 cup cranberries 1 beet, peeled 1 cup pomegranete arils 1 red apple 1 tsp cinnamon This recipe makes about 2 portions and should be enjoyed within 3 days for maximum benefits. Feel free to double this recipe and store leftovers in the freezer for months! This is the Hurom H400 juicer, use code ANNIE10 for a discount! Linked in my storefront in my bio Fortnight by Taylor Swift – Music Society
Heart-Healthy Red Juice Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to make this heart-friendly juice:
- 4 large rainbow carrots
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1 beet, peeled
- 1 cup pomegranate arils
- 1 red apple
- 1 tsp cinnamon
In her TikTok video’s caption, @theplantcollective highlights the heart-boosting benefits of a number of fruits and vegetables in her juice recipe. For starters, she says, it can improve the functions of your cardiovascular system. “This juice is high in nitrates,” she explains, “which lowers blood pressure, improves blood vessel function, and allows your lungs to take in more oxygen.” Nitrates help to relax blood vessels, which makes it easier for blood to flow and oxygen to circulate.
This juice is also filled with anti-inflammatory compounds, which, as she notes, help to “speed up healing, increase blood flow, and prevent heart conditions.” Inflammation is one major contributor of heart disease, and reducing it can significantly lower the risk of cardiovascular issues. On top of all this, the juice is “rich in antioxidants,” which “fight inflammation, protect your body from oxidative stress, help prevent plaque buildup in the arteries, and repair tissue damage.”
Each of the ingredients brings unique benefits to the table:
- Beets are rich in nitrates, which help lower blood pressure and improve circulation. They also contain betalains, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Dietitian Jesse Feder points out that beets "contain high amounts of a certain compound called nitric oxide which helps relax blood vessels and reduces blood pressure over time."
- Cranberries are high in antioxidants like vitamin C and polyphenols, which help prevent damage to blood vessels and reduce cholesterol levels.
- Pomegranate arils are packed with antioxidants that support heart health by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, which can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries.
- Carrots are loaded with beta-carotene, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels and improving blood vessel function.
- Apples are a good source of soluble fiber, which has been shown to lower cholesterol, while their polyphenol content helps protect blood vessels from damage.
- Cinnamon not only adds flavor but also helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation, contributing to overall cardiovascular health. This spice can do wonders. According to Juliana Tamayo, editor of Fitness Clone, "It has anti-inflammatory properties and also contains some antioxidants." In fact, she notes that "studies suggest that cinnamon can also reduce LDL and triglyceride levels, two types of cholesterol that often lead to obesity and heart disease." Who knew?!
The recipe makes about two servings and should be "enjoyed within 3 days for maximum benefits," but you can also double the recipe and store leftovers in the freezer for months. As @theplantcollective emphasizes, this juice is a perfect companion to a "colorful diet and daily movement" to further enhance cardiovascular health.
All in all, this simple, nutrient-packed juice is an excellent addition to your routine, offering a flavorful way to care for your heart and enjoy the vibrant benefits of these healthy ingredients.
