These Vegetables May Make Your Arteries Healthier

A new study out of Australia may shed some new light on specific vegetables that can help promote arterial health. While many studies have linked vegetables with heart health including reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, this is one of only a few studies that has looked specific types of vegetables (24 in fact) to see how they contribute to the health of arteries.

The results showed that the participants in the study who ate the most vegetables had arterial walls that were thinner than those who ate the least amount of vegetables. While this may sound boring to some, a reduced thickness is associated with reduced risk of stroke and heart attack. The results also showed that for those who ate an average of 10 extra grams of cruciferous vegetables, they had an additional reduction is arterial wall thickness. The study authors point out that no such link was seen with any other type of vegetable.

Cruciferous vegetables include:

• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Arugula
• Turnips
• Radish
• Watercress
• Kale
• Collard greens

This group of vegetables are known to be rich sources of fiber, vitamins C, E, and K, folate, minerals, and several sulphur compounds that tend to give these vegetables their pungent aroma and sometimes bitter taste. They also tend to be lower in carbohydrates than several other vegetables, making them a great choice for gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and lap band surgery patients.

As many bariatric surgery patients (as well as those who have struggled with obesity) are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, this finding can help encourage them to fit more vegetables, and specifically cruciferous vegetables, into their diet. Vegetables not only help provide a large part of the fiber we need and contribute to weight loss, but they are low in calories and packed with vitamins and minerals, making them a winning choice for everyone, but especially those who have had weight loss surgery.

The above is offered by Dr. Shillingford, MD, PA, a Center of Excellence Surgeon specializing in gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and lap band surgery. Dr. Shillingford’s reputation for excellent surgical skills and comfortable bedside manner attract patients from all over Florida, including Miami, Tampa, Port St. Lucie, Orlando, and Jacksonville. His bariatric weight loss patients receive top notch care during their hospital stay at Northwest Medical Center’s Center for Excellence in Bariatric Surgery, where he serves as Medical Director, and during their follow up care in his Boca Raton office.