In 2002, the World Health Organization tabulated that nearly 30% of human deaths were caused by “Cardiovascular diseases”, and the rate since then has only been increasing. Heart attacks, one of the most fatal causes that can be encountered by a human body, often begins with minute symptoms such as coughing, mild chest pain, vomiting, uneasiness, etc. However, if you are too late for the saying ‘Prevention is always better than cure’, then heart diseases are not very far from getting diagnosed; and one of the best remedy for diagnosing patients who have already faced mild heart attacks is, “Resveratrol”. Resveratrol, is scientifically claimed to be one of the most miraculous and accessible compounds for the heart-suffering patients. And for a change to get this compound, it is not the doctor but the fruit vendor you must consult to, since resveratrol is commonly found in fruits such as grapes, berries, tomatoes, etc.
Below given are interesting herbs that are the richest source of resveratrol; also the details of their importance, their proper and useful intake for decreasing the heart risks, benefits and much more.
Japanese knotweed
Japanese knotweed, an invasive species of herb, giving the appearance of bamboo is a native to East-Asian countries and is recognized by English names such as monkeyweed, American bamboo and fleeceflower. Apart from attracting bees with its enriched nectars, this herb comes as a rich source of resevratrol replacing many resveratrol containing capsules for heart patients and this is one main reason for its cultivation becoming now worldwide. Japanese knotweed is popularly taken as a diet supplement by many people due to its health benefits, one of it being a mild laxative. It has hollow nodes and can be consumed as a raw medicinal herb daily in little amounts. It is delicious and declares no side effects.
Grapes and red wine
The second, most commonly available source of resveratrol are grapes and red wine, due to its grape juice sources. Grapes have been considered the best natural alternative for resveratrol compounds by the doctors. It is confirmed that the red and purple grapes have higher content of resveratrol in their skin than the green grapes. However, to get even richer source of this medicine, red wine is preferred due its long fermentation; and probably this introduces the popular line that regular consumption of red wine keeps the heart healthy. Men are often asked to drink 1-2 glass of red wine daily, whereas women have to limit to just 1 glass a day. Resveratrol inhibits the growth of leukemic, colon and breast cells that can lead to cancer by slowing their cell growth. Nevertheless, one cannot deny the fact that red wine is an alcohol beverage and its constant consumption may increase, blood cancer, obesity, high blood pressure, etc.
Berry
Along with monkey weed and grapes, the nature gifts another delicious set of fruits that has been proved to be a very useful cure to diagnose the heart patients, usually known as berries. These low-growing shrubs of berries include: cranberries, blueberries, mulberries, strawberries, huckleberries and bilberries. They are not just tasty but have a great deal of benefits for people facing cholesterol related problem and the two that are best known for cancer fighting are ellagic acid and anthocyanosides. Ellagic acid is extensively extracted from strawberries and raspberries; this reduces the risk of breast, lungs and skin cancer due to its anti-oxidant action on tumor cells. However, the nutrient pterostilbene is highly concentrated in blueberries that have cholesterol reduction benefits. But one must vary cooking these berries too much, as that might result in 10% of their beneficial values on the body.
Peanuts
Peanuts are again another next-door resveratrol rich products that have their own vital importance and benefits for cardiovascular patients. People who love eating peanuts surely have some good news here as people who regularly eat peanuts and pistachios keep a low body fat index than the ones who don’t eat them on a regular basis. Unlike berries, peanuts’ resvertarol value increases on boiling or cooking; according to the Linus Pauling Institute, raw peanuts have 0.01 to 0.26 mg resveratrol per cup serving and the ones that are boiled contain nearly 0.32 to 1.38 mg. Peanuts are a good option for people who have frequent bar visits and also for kids but one must shift to unprocessed and unsalted peanuts for a healthier side.
Soybeans
Widely grown for edible utilities, soybeans have been classed as oilseed rather than pulses. They have numerous uses and health benefits that make them easily adapted to a meal. They are a huge motherload of not just proteins but resvertarol too. It is widely cultivated and transported in countries like: U.S, Argentina, China and India. They reduce the risk of colon cancer, breast cancer and even asthma, particularly due to its content of sphingolipds. It is advised to opt for fermented soy products and not the unfermented ones like, soy cheese, soy milk, soy burgers, etc. For vegetarians, soy is the best mode of nutrition and proteins; but one must boil the soy first and then go for its consumption, especially in the case of green ones as the raw soy is toxic to the human body.
Pomegranate
Pomegranates have a wide range of benefits for health as well as beauty. This tasty fruit is often termed as the all-benefits-in-one outgrowth. Pomegranates are best useful when its juice is adopted to our breakfast daily. Its seeds are small packets of anti-oxidants and it is high in resveratrol and this is why this delicious food keeps the human body immune system protected from numerous diseases like arthritis, cancer, leveling the blood pressure and cholesterol level in the body, etc. It keeps the heart healthy and prevents it from any stokes in the near future and is a boon for diabetic patients as it serves them with natural sweeteners within itself. Pomegranate is one of the healthiest food items and should be made compulsory in one’s diet.
Cocoa
Resveratrol shows the steady effect of both phytochemicals and other antioxidants in combination. It is a compound that fights cancer as well as helps one control the signs of aging. All this while you learnt a lot about this compound and finally comes the best reason to have it is, cocoa! In 2008, the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry revealed in one of their issues that the level of resveratrol found in chocolates are second after red wine and grape juice; raw cocoa was said to be quite a rich content of resveratrol, followed by dark chocolate, baking chocolate, milk chocolate and chocolate syrup. It surely is said to be the best anti-oxidant supplier that does as good job as a cancer drug.