When most people think about protecting their heart, the usual suspects come to mind: getting regular exercise, keeping stress in check, sleeping well and cutting back on ultra-processed foods. What doesn’t always make the list is the idea that the same habits that support a healthy heart can benefit the rest of the body too—including in some areas you might not expect.
That’s because the cardiovascular system touches just about everything. Healthy blood vessels deliver oxygen and nutrients to the brain, muscles and organs, and good circulation plays a role in everything from mental sharpness to sexual function. When arteries stiffen or blood pressure runs high, the effects can ripple far beyond the heart itself.
Related: A Cardiologist Says 2 to 5 Minutes of This Afternoon Habit Is a ‘Powerful Buffer’ for Your Heart (Hint: It’s Not a Walk)
Diet is one of the most powerful tools for keeping that system in good shape. Research has consistently linked eating patterns rich in whole, minimally processed foods to a lower risk of heart disease, while diets heavy in added sugar are tied to a higher risk of cardiovascular problems. But knowing you should “eat healthier” and knowing exactly what to put on your plate each day are two very different things.
Fortunately, one cardiologist has a simple recommendation—and it’s something many people already have in their kitchen. Even better, he said its benefits go well beyond your heart.
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What a Cardiologist Says to Eat Every Day for Better Heart and Sexual Health
The answer is fruit. Dr. Joel Kahn, MD, Holistic Cardiologist, Author of The Whole Heart Solution, previously told Parade that eating fruit daily benefits the whole body, not just the heart.
“Fruit is colorful, delicious and associated with many benefits like a lower risk of heart disease, better brain function and superior sexual health. It is nature’s candy,” Dr. Kahn said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that adults eat 1.5 to 2.5 cups of fruit a day, and the science behind Dr. Kahn’s claims is solid. Research shows that many fruits help protect against cardiovascular disease by lowering blood pressure, reducing oxidative stress and raising “good” HDL cholesterol. In older adults, eating fruit regularly has been tied to better cognitive function, likely because the antioxidants in fruit support blood flow to the brain.
Related: 7 Foods Cardiologists Always Eat for Heart Health
As for that sexual health benefit, there’s evidence there too: Eating an apple every day has been linked to improved vaginal lubrication. Reaching for fruit instead of candy when a sugar craving hits is an easy way to start reaping these rewards.
The Fruits a Cardiologist Recommends Most
While all fruit is good for your heart, Dr. Kahn said a few stand out. “Strawberries have been found to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease,” he said. He also pointed to pomegranates, which are especially rich in antioxidants and can help lower LDL cholesterol when eaten regularly.
His personal favorite, though, is the apple. Apples are packed with fiber, which supports gut health—and a high-fiber diet is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
“Apples are rich in vitamin C, which is crucial for heart and skin health,” Dr. Kahn said. “They also have a lot of quercetin, which is excellent for artery health and the immune system.”
Related: 25 Foods That Are Good For Your Heart, From Fruits and Veggies to Heart-Healthy Nuts and Seeds
He likes to eat one before a meal. “I actually eat less of the meal and it is a win-win for nutrition and weight management,” he said.
Other cardiologists have their own favorites. Dr. Chauncey Crandall, MD, a cardiologist based in West Palm Beach, Florida, previously told Parade that mangos top his list. “Mangos are a great source of magnesium and potassium, both of which are connected to lower blood pressure,” Dr. Crandall said.
The takeaway? There’s no single best fruit for your heart. What matters most is choosing fruit you genuinely enjoy, since you’ll be more likely to eat it every day.
Adapted from Parade’s Want To Improve Your Heart Health? Here’s the Type of Fruit a Cardiologist Is Begging You To Eat More Of by Emily Laurence Sardinha
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Sources
Joel Kahn, MD, Holistic Cardiologist, Author of The Whole Heart Solution Chauncey Crandall, MD, Cardiologist, West Palm Beach, Florida Aviram, M., & Rosenblat, M. (2013). Pomegranate for your cardiovascular health. Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal, 4(2), e0013. DiNicolantonio, J. J., & O’Keefe, J. H. (2017). Added sugars drive coronary heart disease via insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia: A new paradigm. Open Heart, 4(2), e000729. Kudesia, R., Alexander, M., Gulati, M., Kennard, A., & Tollefson, M. (2021). Dietary approaches to women’s sexual and reproductive health. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 15(4), 414–424. Soliman, G. A. (2019). Dietary fiber, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. Nutrients, 11(5), 1155. U.S. Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Fruits. MyPlate. Yuan, C., Fondell, E., Bhushan, A., Ascherio, A., Okereke, O. I., Grodstein, F., & Willett, W. C. (2019). Long-term intake of vegetables and fruits and subjective cognitive function in US men. Neurology, 92(1), e63–e75. Zhao, C.-N., Meng, X., Li, Y., Li, S., Liu, Q., Tang, G.-Y., & Li, H.-B. (2017). Fruits for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Nutrients, 9(6), 598.Hence then, the article about a cardiologist says eating this every day is linked to superior sexual health was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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