Food Insecurity During COVID-19 May Increase Heart Diseases Risk; Expert Diet Tips For Healthy Heart

On top of the danger of the widespread Coronavirus pandemic, there is growing concern over depleting food supply across the globe. Food insecurity has been linked to many health issues like malnutrition, hypertension, and even obesity in some cases. Now, experts suggest that increasing food insecurity may also give rise to the risk of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). A study carried out by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered that that food insecurity had a prominent impact on cardiovascular mortality rate among adults between the ages of 20 and 64.

The researchers studied data from the National Center for Health Statistics and the Map the Meal Gap study from 3142 counties across all 50 states of the U.S. The researchers found that the countries that had the most increase in food insecurity levels had cardiovascular death rates that increased from 82 to 87 per 100,000 individuals.

The findings were published in the journal ‘Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes‘.

“From 2011 to 2017, an increase in food security in U.S. countries was associated with the increase in cardiovascular mortality rate in non-elderly adults, independent of changes in demographic, economic and healthcare. Higher cardiovascular mortality rate due to increased food insecurity may be influenced by the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factor like diabetes and hypertension,” said Sameed Khatana, author of the study.

(Also Read: 9 Foods To Add To Your Heart-Friendly Diet)

In the light of the above findings, here we list down some effective diet tips for healthy heart, suggested by consultant nutritionist Rupali Dutta.

Expert Diet Tips For Healthy Heart:

Eat Lots Of Vegetables:

Vegetables are rich in fibre and antioxidants, along with various vitamins and minerals. Experts recommend serving of 4-5/day. One serving is about 1 cup of leafy greens or half cup of other vegetable.

Hydrate Yourself:

Besides having plain water throughout the day, hydrate with other healthy drinks like lemon water, coconut water, smoothies and aam panna with low sugar and salt content.

Nuts And Seeds:

Proteins, fibre, antioxidants and healthy fats make all kinds of nuts and seeds a must-have food in heart-friendly diet. Just make sure not to overfill your portions. About 1/3 cup of nuts and 2 tablespoons of seeds per day is enough.

Fruits:

Have fruits for in-between-the-meals snack or post-meal dessert. Rupali Dutta recommends a daily serving of 2-3/day. One serving is a medium-sized fruit or half cup of chopped fruit.

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Cereal Grains:

Pick from the whole host of whole grains like whole wheat, barley, ragi, bajra, jowar etc. Try to have wherein 80% of the cereals from whole grain and 20% from refined cereals, on your plate.

Fight CVD with healthy living and healthy eating. Add these foods to your diet.