11/01/2025
8 Best Foods That Support Your Heart & Gut at the Same (These are good for SCD warriors)
Many foods that are good for your heart are also great for your gut. The common denominators? Fibre, healthy fats, and antioxidants. Believe it or not, 80% of our immune system is found in the gut, so having a healthy gut will keep you far away from being sick and frequent visits to the hospital.
Fibre helps your body excrete cholesterol, which is great for your heart (high cholesterol levels increase your risk of heart disease).
1 Fibre also promotes healthy digestion and can act as food for the good bacteria in your gut.
2 Healthy fats can also help lower LDL cholesterol (known as “bad”) and reduce inflammation in your gut.
3 Antioxidants are also key for reducing inflammation in your gut and protecting your heart from oxidative damage. While many foods could fit the bill, these top eight foods are great for your gut as well as your heart.
1. Almonds
Almonds are at the top of my list of heart-healthy foods because they also benefit digestion, They have healthy mono- and poly-unsaturated fats and are shown to be a budget-friendly way to boost your heart health. They’re chock-full of fibre for healthy digestion. Did you know that a half cup of almonds provides about 8 grams of fibre? That’s about a third of our daily requirements for fibre.
2. Apples
Apples are a great choice for both heart health and gut health. This is because apples contain fibre, which is a key component for maintaining healthy digestion and blood cholesterol levels. Specifically, apples contain a type of soluble fibre called pectin that acts as a prebiotic in the gut. That means it helps feed your healthy gut bacteria to thrive. Plus, pectin can help lower cholesterol. Just make sure to eat the apple skin since this is where most of the pectin is.
3. Avocado
Avocados are a high-fat food, but most of those fat grams are heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. In fact, avocados are Heart-Checked certified food by the American Heart Association, a mark that makes it easy to spot heart-healthy foods. This is likely related to their monounsaturated fat content, as 1/3 of a medium avocado provides 5 grams. Monounsaturated fats help to reduce our LDL or our ‘bad’ cholesterol. Like the other foods on this list, avocados are also full of fibre. One avocado has an impressive 9 grams of fibre or 32% of the daily value (DV). A high fibre diet has not only shown to improve heart health but also gut health! Fibre promotes regular bowel movements by adding bulk to the stool.
4. Beets
Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are often full of nutrition (hence the age-old adage “eat the rainbow”), and beets are one great example. They're rich in dietary nitrates, which your body converts to nitric oxide to improve blood flow and circulation. Fermented (or pickled) beets also contain beneficial probiotics that nourish your gut. Each cup of beets has 3 grams of fibre or 11% of the daily value. These brightly-coloured veggies can be purchased fresh and can be used in making your sandwiches, salads, and more to add a pop of colour and nutrition to your diet.
5. Berries
Berries are loaded with antioxidants and polyphenols, which support cardiovascular health by reducing inflammation, improving blood vessel function, and lowering blood pressure. Polyphenols have also been shown to reduce inflammation in the gut and even help protect against colon cancer. Berries are some of the highest-fiber fruits you can eat. One cup of raspberries or blackberries has about 8 grams of fibre, and a cup of wild blueberries has over 6 grams of fibre. The high fibre in berries promotes a healthy gut microbiome, feeds beneficial bacteria, and supports digestion and bowel regularity. Berries can be enjoyed on their own or as a topping for foods like yoghurt, oatmeal, or chia pudding.
6. Lentils
Swapping out some animal proteins for plant-based proteins like lentils can help you eat more fibre and less saturated fat, which is good for your heart and gut health. Lentils are a fibre rich, plant-based protein that’s great for heart health and digestion. They also act as prebiotics, fueling the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Actually, research shows that lentils can help reduce inflammation and support blood sugar regulation and overall gut health. All thanks to their protein, fibre, and antioxidants.
7. Walnuts
Another excellent food for your gut and heart is walnuts. Walnuts are an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid associated with better blood lipid profiles, including reduced LDL cholesterol levels. Walnuts also provide fibre and bioactive compounds that support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. A walnut-rich diet positively alters the gut microbiome, leading to greater production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate.
short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are known to help reduce inflammation in the gut while promoting a healthy and strong gut lining. Walnuts can be easily added to yoghurt or oatmeal.
8. Whole-Grain Oats
Oats are rich in beta-glucan, a soluble fibre⁶ that helps lower LDL cholesterol, supporting heart health. Not many foods are packed with beta-glucan, so oats are definitely worth eating if you’re concerned about your cholesterol levels. As a bonus, beta-glucan is also great for your gut. This fibre acts as a prebiotic, nourishing beneficial gut bacteria and improving overall gut health. Each ½ cup of uncooked oats has 4 grams of fibre or 14% of the daily value. There are so many easy and delicious ways to enjoy oats, from smoothies and hot oatmeal to overnight oats and energy balls.
Summary!!
The great thing about food is that you’ll likely get a “2 (or more) for 1 deal” when it comes to health benefits. And they're so good for your heart and gut. That’s because they are rich in fibre, healthy fats and antioxidants, helping reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, and promote healthy digestion. You can easily incorporate almonds, avocados, berries, lentils, walnuts, and oats into your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and / or snacks. So, add them to your shopping cart on your next stop at the grocery store. Your gut and heart will thank you 😊!!
©️Sickle Cell Holistic Health-Living