Paying attention to heart health is crucial. While some foods can cause damage to our bodies, many others promote heart health. We can use these foods to make smoothies and drink our way to good health. Smoothies can be refreshing, nutritious, invigorating, and adds value to our diet. We have found a few delicious smoothie recipes that help promote heart health that you can enjoy.

Heart Booster or Superfruit Smoothie

Ingredients:

3/4 cup unsweetened blueberries (frozen)

1/2 cup pure pomegranate juice

1/4 cup yoghurt (use a banana as a non-dairy substitute)

1/2 tsp lemon zest

1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice

Directions: Add all ingredients to your blender. Blend until smooth.

Info: Blueberries and pomegranates are packed with antioxidants that help to promote heart health.

Almond Chocolate Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 ripe banana (frozen)

2 tsp cocoa powder

2 tsp maca powder

3 tbsp almond butter

2 cups almond milk

Directions: Put all ingredients into your blender. Blend until smooth.

Info: Almond butter, cocoa, and maca powder increase HDL cholesterol levels (good cholesterol).

Apple Avocado Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 apple (chopped)

1 avocado (chopped)

1 cup kale (chopped)

1 cup almond milk

2 (heaped) tbsp flaxseed

Ice (optional)

Directions: Put all the ingredients into your blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.

Info: Avocados are potent antioxidants that contain vitamins C, E, B, K, B5, B6, and folic acid. They are anti-inflammatory and help to reduce cholesterol. Avocados also contain manganese, magnesium, potassium, and copper minerals.

Blue Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen blueberries

2 cups frozen peach slices

2 cups fresh spinach

1 cup fat-free milk

1 tsp honey

Directions: Add all the ingredients to the blender. Blend until smooth for about two minutes. Serve and enjoy.

Info: Blueberries are a rich source of antioxidants that help to promote heart health. Adding a few tablespoons of oats or flaxseeds can increase your smoothie’s nutritional value.

Matcha Green Tea Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 large mango (fresh or frozen)

2 frozen bananas

2 large handfuls of baby spinach

2 tsp matcha green tea powder

1 cup (240ml) coconut milk

Directions: Add coconut milk, matcha green tea powder and spinach to the blender. Blend for 30 seconds to a minute. Then, add the frozen bananas and mango slices. Blend until smooth. Enjoy.

Info: Green tea helps to lower LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides. It also contains antioxidants and can help reduce plaque build-up in our arteries.

What else should you know?

Foods that help to improve heart health that you can pop into your smoothie include spinach, kale, oats, berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries), and avocados. Walnuts, almonds, seeds (flaxseeds, chia seeds and hemp seeds), and green tea also help promote heart health.

While smoothies are great, please do not use them as meal substitutes. If you are struggling with hypertension or any other heart-related illness, speak to a doctor or dietician about a nutritional plan that is best suited for you. You can use Find Yello listings for the needed products and services.

Sources: Juicery, Recipes.heart, Healthline, and Loving it vegan.