As we age, our bodies gradually enter a stage where they need to be cared for with more care. At this stage, vascular health is particularly important. In recent years, the claim that yam can be a "dissolver" of blood clots has been widely circulated, so is this statement true and credible? Today, we will talk about this topic and recommend several healthy ingredients that are suitable for older people to eat.
1. Yam: the mystery of the "natural lysant" of blood clots
Yam, a frequent guest on our table, has a soft taste and is rich in a variety of nutrients. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that yam has the effects of strengthening the spleen and stomach, nourishing the kidneys and improving essence. In modern medical research, yam has also been found to have a variety of bioactive substances that are beneficial to the human body.
In recent years, some studies have pointed out that certain components in yam may have a positive effect on vascular health. For example, the mucopolysaccharides and mucins in yams have the effect of reducing blood viscosity and preventing fat deposition on the walls of blood vessels. In addition, yam also contains a variety of trace elements and vitamins, which are helpful in maintaining the elasticity of blood vessels and preventing thrombosis.
However, it is important to note that while these ingredients in yam are beneficial for vascular health, they do not directly dissolve blood clots that have already formed. Therefore, calling yam a "lytic" of blood clots may be an overstatement of its efficacy. However, this does not mean that yam is not valuable in preventing vascular diseases. In fact, moderate consumption of yam is indeed a good choice for older people.
2. "Vascular Health Guardian" for the Elderly
In addition to yams, there are other ingredients that also have a positive effect on vascular health. Below, we will recommend a few healthy ingredients that are suitable for older people to eat.
- Deep-sea fish: Deep-sea fish such as salmon and tuna are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which play an important role in lowering bad cholesterol in the blood, reducing platelet aggregation and preventing thrombosis. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids also have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects, and help protect the cardiovascular system from damage.
- Black fungus: Known as the "vascular scavenger", black fungus is rich in dietary fiber and gum, which can adsorb harmful substances in the blood and excrete them from the body. At the same time, the polysaccharides in black fungus also have the effect of reducing blood viscosity and improving blood circulation.
- Garlic: The allicin in garlic has the effect of lowering blood pressure, lowering blood lipids, and inhibiting platelet aggregation. In addition, garlic is rich in antioxidants, which help protect the cardiovascular system from oxidative stress.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Studies have shown that lycopene can help lower bad cholesterol levels in the blood, reduce platelet aggregation, and prevent atherosclerosis. In addition, tomatoes are also rich in nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium, which have a positive effect on maintaining cardiovascular health.
- Green tea: The tea polyphenols in green tea have the effect of lowering blood pressure, lowering blood lipids, and inhibiting platelet aggregation. In addition, green tea has a variety of biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer. Drinking green tea in moderation can help protect the cardiovascular system from damage.
Epilogue:
Vascular health is one of the issues that older people need to pay attention to. With a sensible diet and healthy lifestyle choices, we can add to vascular health. As a healthy ingredient, yam cannot directly dissolve blood clots, but its positive effect on vascular health cannot be ignored. At the same time, we should also eat more healthy ingredients such as deep-sea fish, black fungus, garlic, tomatoes and green tea to maintain cardiovascular health. Let's start paying attention to our eating habits and lifestyle from now on to add points to our health!