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Copywriting丨Dr. Tan's health science
Editor丨Dr. Tan's health science
Lao Wang is sitting leisurely on a park bench, basking in the sun and chatting with his old friends. Somehow the topic turned to health, Lao Zhang said with great interest: "I often eat black fungus recently, and I heard that it can dredge blood vessels, which is especially good for us elderly!" "
As soon as this remark came out, it sparked a heated discussion. Some agreed, others were skeptical. While everyone was arguing, a middle-aged man passing by stopped and joined their conversation with a smile.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am a cardiologist at a nearby community hospital. I heard you guys talking about black fungus and vascular health, I wonder if I can say a few words as well? "
The old people nodded their heads and welcomed the doctor's arrival. They were all curious to see what the professional would say.
The doctor cleared his throat and began to say: "Black fungus does have a certain health care effect, it is rich in dietary fiber and polysaccharides, which helps to lower cholesterol. However, relying solely on eating black fungus to unclog blood vessels, the effect may not be as significant as everyone thinks. "
When the old people heard this, they sighed with some disappointment. Seeing this, the doctor quickly added: "Don't be discouraged, in fact, there are many foods that can help us maintain our blood vessels. Today, I'm going to introduce you to five 'blood vessel' foods that are especially suitable for the elderly, and their effects may surprise you! "
These words immediately aroused the interest of the old people, and they pricked up their ears to listen carefully to the doctor's advice.
The doctor smiled and said, "The first is garlic." "
Hearing this ordinary ingredient, some old people looked a little disappointed. The doctor noticed their expressions and went on to explain, "Don't underestimate garlic, it's a 'vascular scavenger'. Garlic contains allicin, a substance that inhibits platelet aggregation, reduces blood viscosity, and lowers cholesterol levels. Put simply, it allows blood to flow more smoothly and reduces the risk of blood clots. "
Lao Wang interjected: "But the garlic taste is too strong, and it will cause bad breath when you eat it, which is not very convenient." "
The doctor nodded: "This is indeed a problem. There are a few tricks we can take, though. Garlic can be chopped and left for a while before eating, which will increase the allicin content while reducing some of the pungent odors. Alternatively, you can choose to take garlic essential oil capsules to reap the benefits of garlic without worrying about bad breath. "
After listening to the doctor's explanation, the old people nodded one after another, saying that they had benefited a lot.
The doctor continued: "The second food is fish. Especially deep-sea fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, etc. "
Lao Zhang said excitedly: "I like to eat fish!" Looks like I'm having a good habit. "
The doctor nodded approvingly: "Fish is indeed a good choice. Deep-sea fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower blood triglyceride levels, reduce inflammation and raise levels of good cholesterol (HDL). To put it simply, it is to make blood vessels healthier and blood circulation smoother. "
He adds: "Eating fish 2-3 times a week with about 100-150 grams each time can get good health results. However, it is better to choose steaming, boiling or roasting methods and avoid frying, which is healthier. "
The old people nodded their heads again and again, and some even began to record them in small notebooks.
The doctor continued, "The third food that may come as a surprise to everyone – it's the tomato. "
Sure enough, the old people all had surprised expressions on their faces.
"Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant. It scavenges free radicals in the body, reduces oxidative damage to blood vessel walls, and lowers cholesterol levels. What's even more amazing is that studies have found that lycopene can also inhibit the aggregation of platelets, which helps prevent thrombosis. "
Lao Li asked suspiciously: "Is it better to eat raw or cooked?" "
The doctor replied, "That's a good question." In fact, after the tomato is cooked, the absorption rate of lycopene will be greatly improved. Therefore, I recommend that you make dishes such as tomato beef stew and tomato egg soup. In addition, pairing it with some healthy oils, such as olive oil, can further improve the absorption of lycopene. "
The old people were fascinated by this and said they wanted to eat more tomatoes.
The doctor continued, "The fourth food is purple potatoes. "
Lao Wang said in surprise: "Purple potato? I always thought it was just an ordinary sweet potato, but with a different color. "
The doctor smiled and explained, "Purple potatoes are not just as simple as changing color. It is rich in anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants. Anthocyanins can protect vascular endothelial cells, enhance blood vessel elasticity, and also reduce cholesterol levels. To put it simply, it is to make the blood vessels younger and more energetic. "
He added: "Moreover, purple potatoes have a lower sugar content than regular sweet potatoes, which is more suitable for older people with poor blood sugar control." It can be eaten steamed, or it can be made into purple potato puree or purple potato porridge, which are all good choices. "
The old people were amazed and said that they wanted to buy some purple potatoes to try.
The doctor smiled and said, "The last food that might surprise everyone is dark chocolate." "
As soon as these words came out, the old people all showed expressions of disbelief.
The doctor explains: "Yes, dark chocolate does have benefits for vascular health. It is rich in flavonoids, which help lower blood pressure and improve blood vessel function. Be aware, however, that this is talking about pure dark chocolate with more than 70% cocoa content, not regular milk chocolate. "
He adds: "Of course, chocolate is higher in calories and can't be eaten too much. 10-20 grams per day is enough and can be used as a snack for afternoon tea. "
After hearing this, the old people were both surprised and happy. Who would have thought that these ordinary foods could have such miraculous effects?
The doctor concluded, "Each of these five foods has its own characteristics, and they all help us to take care of our blood vessels from different angles. However, it is important to remember that even the best food should not be consumed in excess. Maintaining a balanced diet, exercising moderately, and maintaining a good attitude are the kings of maintaining blood vessels. "
The elderly expressed their gratitude to the doctor and said that they should carefully write down these suggestions and adjust their eating habits.
At this moment, an old woman raised her hand and asked, "Doctor, do you still want to eat black fungus?" "
The doctor smiled and replied, "Of course, black fungus can be eaten, and it does have a certain health care effect." Don't expect to solve all your problems just by eating black fungus, though. We can take it as part of our daily diet and eat it with other foods, so that the effect will be better. "
After listening to the doctor's answer, the old people suddenly realized. They realise that vascular maintenance is not about a "miracle" food, but about a well-balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Before leaving, the doctor also made a special admonition: "Remember, no food can replace medication. If you have chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia, you must follow the doctor's instructions to take your medication on time and have regular physical examinations. Dietary conditioning is only an adjunct and cannot be a complete substitute for formal treatment. "
The old people nodded earnestly, indicating that they would definitely keep in mind the doctor's advice.
As the doctor left, the old people in the park began to have a lively discussion. They exchanged their eating habits with each other and shared their health experiences. This casual conversation allowed them to learn new knowledge and stimulate their enthusiasm for healthy living.
Lao Wang smiled and said, "It seems that we will have a lot more health topics in the future!" Let's go to the supermarket another day and buy some purple potatoes and dark chocolate to try? "
The others agreed, with light-hearted smiles on their faces. Under the sun, the laughter of this group of elderly people echoes in the park, forming a warm and harmonious picture.
This chance encounter allowed the old people to learn scientific health knowledge, and more importantly, it aroused their love for life and cherishing health. From this moment on, they decided to face life more positively, take care of their health with scientific methods, and make their later life better and more exciting.
As the doctor said, the maintenance of blood vessels does not depend on a certain miracle food, but requires our daily life bit by bit effort. Starting today, let's pay attention to our diet, maintain good lifestyle habits, and contribute to our vascular health. After all, healthy blood vessels can support us on a more exciting journey in life.
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