Eat This Fuzzy Fruit for Your Heart
But it’s true. Eating lots of kiwifruit is like putting a tag team of heart helpers on your cardio-health case. Here’s why.
It’s in Your Blood
Kiwifruit appear to put the kibosh on artery-clogging plaques in two ways: They help lower triglyceride levels, and they reduce platelet clumping. The platelet effect could be particularly good for your ticker: Although platelets aid in blood clotting, when these cells stick together too much, it could set the stage for a heart attack or stroke.
Head of the Class
There’s plenty of heart-helping nutrition in kiwifruit to explain these positive impacts. You may be surprised to learn a kiwi has more vitamin C than an orange, beats bananas for potassium, and is chock-full of vitamin E and magnesium.
Dive In
Kiwifruit are easy to eat. Just slice one in half and scoop out the insides with a spoon, like you would a melon. Want to get creative with kiwifruit?
Try this Banana-Kiwi Salad.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon minced shallot
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
Pinch of cayenne pepper, or to taste
4 kiwis, peeled and diced
2 firm ripe bananas, cut diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh mint
2 tablespoons chopped cashews, toasted (see Tip)
Directions
1. Whisk lime juice, oil, shallot, vinegar, honey, salt and cayenne in a medium bowl. Add kiwis, bananas, bell pepper and mint; toss to coat. Serve sprinkled with cashews.
For more heart-healthy ideas, search Encouraging Health
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