OVERVIEW
Nature has blessed mankind so marvelously that most sicknesses we spent thousands and millions of naira treating could have been prevented with ease at little or no cost. Knowledge is power. What we actually neglect each day becomes the sum-total of our body composition. The seasonal fruits we have is for one to take advantage of them because of the role they play in our body. Neglecting some of these fruits may reduce the nutrients that should have been available to combat heart attack.
HEART ATTACK
This is just one of the diseases of the hearts. As the name implies, it’s the failure of the heart to perform its primary function of pumping blood to the rest of the body due to shortage of supplied oxygen.
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in the US described it as a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate treatment and happens when the flow of blood that brings oxygen to a part of your heart muscle suddenly becomes blocked.
FRUITS THAT CAN PREVENT HEART ATTACK
The popular saying: “prevention is better than cure” still remains the best remedy to most of our diseases including heart attack. As discussed earlier, when the heart doesn’t get enough oxygen it occur. And as we know, it’s the blood that carries oxygen so, if there’s a blockage in any of the arteries carrying blood to the heart, it automatically causes heart attack.
But the blockage does not usually happens overnight. It happens gradually with time and the fruits we consume play a big role towards the well-functioning of these arteries and in keeping the involving cells alive and active.
Some of these fruits can be seasonal. Some can be in surplus in a particular area while scarce in another area but in all cases, eating the ones available to you at any giving time can actually be of help in the prevention of heart attack. Let’s discuss the 5 fruits below:
- Udara(African star apple):
- This fruit is popular In West Africa and has medicinal properties for heart attack, blood pressure etc. Its botanical name is Chrysophyllum albidum. Besides its numerous medicinal value, its antioxidant properties contribute so much in preventing heart attack. “Antioxidants help detoxify your body. They hunt for toxic molecules called free radicals, which can cause oxidative damage to your cells. African star apples contain antioxidants that get rid of free radicals and protect your organs from damage”-WebMD.
- Plum:
- The inflammation that triggers heart attack can as well be taken care of by the antioxidant properties contained in this fruit. Plum fruit can grow in many parts of the world and according to Wikipedia, China is the largest producer of plum fruit.
- Orange:
- This is one common fruits in the world popular known for its richness in vitamin C. One other health benefits many don’t know is its antioxidant properties. “Oranges are packed with phenolic compounds — especially flavonoids, which contribute to most of their antioxidant properties.
- Hesperidin. A citrus flavonoid that’s one of the main antioxidants in oranges, hesperidin may have blood pressure-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects in the body.
- Naringenin. Naringenin is another citrus flavonoid that has been linked to health benefits. Drinking naringenin-rich orange juice may help improve blood vessel function and enhance antioxidant defenses in the body.”-Healthline.
- Cucumber:
- The plentiful nature of this fruit has hidden its health potential. Some people that love eating it could be surprised why they never had any issue of high blood pressure among other ailments. Adding to that, the antioxidant properties also found in it prevents the accumulation of harmful free radicals in the arteries. Hence, preventing heart attack.
- Coconut:
- The damaging of cells in the arteries can be reduced or taking care of by the consumption of coconut. This’s also another common fruit which many could ignore because of not knowing its health benefit. Besides lowering blood pressure, it can also prevent heart attack without you knowing.