© Getty Images

Fatty fish -

Fatty, or oily, fish, including salmon (pictured), anchovies, sardines, and herring, are loaded with essential nutrients and are a potent source of omega-3 fats. These powerful, anti-inflammatory fats may help reduce the risk of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis, a thickening or hardening of the arteries. But how, exactly?

© Shutterstock 

Anchovies -

Omega-3 fats help reduce the expression of cellular adhesion molecules. These are proteins that allow cells to stick to one another and their surroundings—clogging agents, if you like.

© Shutterstock 

Sardines -

Furthermore, omega-3s can reduce the risk of blood clots, lower triglyceride levels—a type of fat (lipid) found in your blood—and increase levels of good HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. According to the UK's National Health Service (NHS), a healthy, balanced diet should include at least two portions of fish a week, including one of fatty fish.

© Shutterstock 

Herring -

This recommendation is based on research that shows people who eat two or more servings of fish per week are less likely to develop atherosclerosis in their carotid arteries.

© Shutterstock 

Berries -

Berries, including strawberries and blueberries, are fruits associated with an impressive roll call of health benefits. Packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds, berries work wonders for arterial health.

© iStock

Blueberries -

Berries are known to reduce inflammation and improve heart health. In addition, berry consumption has been linked to improvements in bad LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, blood pressure, and even blood sugar control.

© Shutterstock 

Mixed berry breakfast -

A super healthy way to start the day is with a bowl of high fiber cereal garnished with mixed berries. Soak with low-fat milk, and lay off the sugar.

© Shutterstock 

Citrus fruits -

The tangy citrus fruit family is packed full of goodness. They are blessed with polyphenol compounds called flavonoids, which have powerful antioxidant properties. Low-sugar citrus fruits are those to choose, such as grapefruit (pictured).

© Shutterstock 

Lemon with water -

Citrus flavonoids can decrease inflammation and help prevent free radicals in the body from oxidizing LDL cholesterol. If you find eating citrus fruits a generally sharp and bitter experience, add a squeeze of lemon or lime to lukewarm water for a milder bioflavonoid buzz.

© Shutterstock

Flaxseed -

Flaxseeds are the unsung heroes of powerhouse nutrition. An excellent source of anti-inflammatory plant-based omega-3s, regular flaxseed intake has been associated with decreased blood sugar and insulin levels.

© Shutterstock 

Natural yogurt with flaxseed -

Most nutrition experts recommend ground over whole flaxseed because the ground form is easier to digest. One to two tablespoons a day is considered a healthy amount—ideal portions for topping off natural yogurt!

© Shutterstock

Extra virgin olive oil -

Those who regularly follow a Mediterranean diet will be aware of the fabulous health benefits afforded by olive oil. It's known for reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and may help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. So, what are the secret ingredients?

© Shutterstock 

Olive oil on salad -

Olive oil is a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyphenol antioxidant compounds. These both help elevate HDL cholesterol while lowering LDL cholesterol. As a bonus, olive oil's polyphenols help lower inflammation and reduce blood pressure. Note that less refined extra virgin olive oil has significantly greater amounts of polyphenols than more refined olive oils. So use extra virgin oil wherever possible, for example on fresh, crispy salads.

© Shutterstock 

Avocados -

Okay, so avocado does contain some saturated fat. But the health benefits of this delicious fruit far outweigh any negative aspects, not least because they are crammed with blood sugar-stabilizing, cholesterol-optimizing monounsaturated fatty acids.

© Shutterstock 

Avocado and egg on rye -

Bursting with nutrients, including fiber, potassium and magnesium, all of which are associated with cardiovascular health, regular consumption of avocado may also help reduce LDL cholesterol.

© Shutterstock 

Tomatoes -

Tomatoes and tomato products have long helped safeguard people's health. They are an impressive source of the carotenoid pigment lycopene, which has been associated with boosting HDL cholesterol levels and reducing inflammation—two great advantages in the fight against the development of atherosclerosis.

© Shutterstock 

Tomato sauce -

Interestingly, combining cooked tomato with extra virgin olive oil may offer the greatest protection against clogged arteries. Similarly, it's a winning combination when making homemade tomato sauce. The reason is because fat increases your body’s absorption of lycopene while reducing adhesion molecules and inflammatory proteins, which is what adding the oil does.

© Shutterstock 

Legumes -

The legume family includes beans, peas, lentils, soybeans, and chickpeas. Full of fiber, they are well known for their heart and arterial health benefits.

© Shutterstock 

Chickpea soup -

Eating legumes on a regular basis can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and tame inflammation. A delicious recipe idea is flavorsome chickpea soup, accompanied by diced mixed vegetables.

© Shutterstock 

Cutlets made from carrots and lentils -

Get creative with lentils, another ingredient known to reduce your risk of clogged arteries. Serve up a portion as cutlets paired with carrot and pumpkin seeds, for instance.

© Shutterstock 

Allium vegetables -

What are allium vegetables? Think onions, garlic, leeks, chives, and scallions. These crunchy and pungent veggies are all rich in organosulfur compounds that scientists believe may help prevent blood vessel inflammation, inhibit the clumping together of platelets in the blood, and increase the availability of nitric oxide—all of which are enemies of atherosclerosis.

© Shutterstock 

Pie with baby leeks -

Allium vegetables work wonders as a tasty garnish. Next time you bake a cheese and onion pie for example, thatch its roof with crispy baby leeks.

© Shutterstock 

Cruciferous vegetables -

As with the allium family, cruciferous vegetables—those that include broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower—are superfood stars containing organosulfur compounds. So while consuming all type of vegetables on a regular basis is never a bad thing, eating lots of cruciferous veggies is associated with thinner, healthier carotid artery walls.

© iStock

Whole-grain pasta penne with broccoli -

And remember, the cruciferous crowd also contains heaps of blood sugar-stabilizing, cholesterol-lowering fiber. Impress your health-conscious dinner guests with this creation: whole-grain pasta penne with broccoli, avocado, green beans, peas, and aromatic blue cheese.

© Shutterstock 

Spinach -

Not for nothing does Popeye gobble down tins of spinach! This leafy green superfood has proven health benefits. It's a great source of dietary nitrates, which support supple, free-flowing blood vessels and arteries. Spinach also has a high potassium content that is usually recommended for people suffering from high blood pressure.

© Shutterstock 

Beets -

A tad bitter and earthy for many palates, beets are nonetheless up there in the superfood division for their help in promoting healthy blood flow. Beets are a rich source of beneficial nitrates, which your body converts to nitric oxide, the molecule that keeps inflammation in check, lowers blood pressure, and helps prevent damage to artery walls.

© Shutterstock 

Walnuts -

Including nuts in your diet has long been associated with improved heart health. Nuts and seeds are excellent sources of protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. But did you know that walnuts contain the highest levels of heart-healthy, plant-based omega-3s? Yup, another great ally in the prevention of atherosclerotic plaque.

© Shutterstock

Spices -

Besides coloring and flavoring our culinary world, spices are excellent sources of helpful compounds that can benefit the heart and arteries. Packed with anti-inflammatory properties, spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric are also believed to help scavenge free radicals, improve blood lipid levels, and reduce the clumping together of platelets in the blood.

© Shutterstock 

Cocoa and dark chocolate -

Consumed sparingly, dark chocolate can work against the development of atherosclerosis because its is a potent source of polyphenol compounds, specifically cocoa flavanols, which have been shown to help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow (cocoa flavanols increase nitric oxide production and decrease inflammation in the arteries).

© Shutterstock 

Green tea -

Time for a cuppa! Green tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinesis plant, the properties of which include polyphenol compounds called catechins, which have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and can help the body rid itself of vascular cell adhesion molecules—a big contributor to clogged arteries.

Sources: (Healthline) (Medical News Today) (NHS) (Nutrition Journal) (Journal of the American Heart Association) (PharmEasy) (BBC Good Food)

See also:  What happens to your body when you eat junk food

© Shutterstock