Atherosclerosis happens when fatty deposits gather in the walls of arteries. This is commonly called clogging of arteries or hardening of arteries. Deposition of fats in the walls of arteries causes narrowing and restriction of blood flow to the heart and other important parts of the body.
Atherosclerosis is clinically referred to as a major underlying cause of several heart disease such as coronary artery disease, the most popular type of heart disease in the United States of America. It is the underlying cause of over 50 percent of deaths in western countries.
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with plenty risk factors. The following people have higher risks of developing clogged arteries:
- Have high LDL (bad) cholesterol
- Have diabetes
- Have obesity [1]
- Live a sedentary lifestyle
- Have high blood pressure
- Eat unbalanced diet
- Have a family history of atherosclerosis
- Smoke cigarettes
In this article, I will be discussing 12 foods that can naturally unclog an artery.
Beans
Beans are filled with fiber and are popular for their heart health importance. Consuming a fiber-rich food like beans is vital for preventing atherosclerosis. Consuming beans is an excellent way of regulating the cholesterol level in the body, thus reducing or eliminating clogged arteries.
A study discovered that diets that include about 1 serving (130 grams) of beans daily were related with significantly lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol [2] compared with control diets.
Research has also proven that bean-rich diets can reduce blood pressure, enhance artery function and reduce the risk of having type 2 diabetes. [3] All of these can help decrease the risk of having clogged arteries.