Arteries are responsible for transporting clean, oxygen, and nutrient-rich blood to various parts of your body. By constricting and expanding constantly, these blood carriers ensure that the life-sustaining fluid continues to flow properly and nourish all body cells. To be able to function in such a manner, arteries are made up of strong, flexible, and elastic material that enables them to manage the flow of blood well. Arterial health can be maintained by ensuring that one is eating right and exercising regularly.

Unfortunately, a large majority of people do not pay attention to arterial health and over time end up with arteries that are narrower than usual, inflexible, and unable to handle the flow of blood, thereby leading to a lack of sufficient nutrient flow to body parts.

Hardened or thickened arteries can cause strokes as they restrict blood flow to the brain. They can also lead to heart attacks which often result in death. You can avoid falling prey to these ghastly cardiovascular maladies by incorporating some easy to find foods in your diet and maintaining a regular workout schedule. Besides, cutting out processed foods, saturated fats, and sugar from your diet can also help cut down your risk of arterial damage.

Here are some foods that, if consumed regularly, can help maintain perfect arterial health:

1. Curcumin – A polyphenolic pigment found in turmeric, curcumin has unparalleled anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that make it a perfect remedy for cleansing arteries and reducing the swelling and inflammation in them. Since inflammation is a major cause of atherosclerosis, daily curcumin supplementation can help prevent arterial hardening. Curcumin also has the potential to halt the aggregation of plaque as well as prevent carrier damage.
2. Asparagus – Asparagus is a green vegetable that is commonly used in salad bowls and is quite earthy-tasting and flavourful. This vegetable is chockfull of nutrients like folic acid and alpha-linoleic acid that keep the blood carriers from solidifying. Asparagus also triggers the body to produce higher quantities of glutathione, a compound that has antioxidant properties and can help prevent oxidative stress that makes arteries more brittle.
3. Avocados – This buttery vegetable is an excellent source of good cholesterol. It helps the body clear out excessive bad cholesterol which tends to block arteries, therefore, narrowing them and hampering blood flow. It also brims with Vitamin E and potassium, both of which help regulate blood pressure and bring down the level of oxidation of cholesterol.
4. Almonds – These crunchy nuts are loaded with magnesium, a nutrient that prevents the build-up of plaque and also pulls down blood pressure levels. Almonds also pack great quantities of Vitamin E, fibre, and protein which help in maintaining overall well-being.
5. Spinach – Adding this leafy veggie to your salad or sandwich or enjoying a soup made using it can help you keep your arteries in good shape. Spinach contains good levels of potassium, fibre, and folic acid and can, therefore, maintain healthy circulation as well as tone down arterial inflammation.
6. Whole Grains -A rich source of soluble fibre, whole grains are known to help expel LDL cholesterol from your digestive system and hence reduce the risk of plaque formation. They also contain magnesium that helps keep blood carriers dilated so that blood can flow through them. Brown rice, quinoa, and oatmeal are excellent examples of such grains.
7. Garlic – This pungent ingredient not only adds that delicious zing to your recipes but also unblocks jammed arteries. By doing so, it allows blood to flow through the arteries normally and therefore prevents strokes.
8. Lemon Juice – Starting your day with a glass of warm water with a few drops of lemon juice can help keep cholesterol levels in check. Since lemon also has fantastic antioxidant qualities, it helps lower oxidative stress and hence keeps arteries protected.
9. Cinnamon – A spice that is often used to add a dash of flavour to both sweet and savoury items, cinnamon also has several therapeutic properties. If consumed regularly, it can help bring down glucose levels, LDL levels, and triglycerides. All of these effects help keep arteries in the pink of health.
10. Pomegranate – The beautiful pink pomegranate beads that are juicy and delicious are rich in magnesium and selenium. This nutrient helps to maintain cardiovascular health. It slows down the process of hardening of blood carriers and relaxes those arteries that are under excessive stress due to atherosclerosis.
11. Lentils – All varieties of lentils are full of calcium, potassium, and magnesium that help keep blood pressure within acceptable levels. This, in turn, helps reduce the pressure on arteries and keeps them from getting damaged.
12. Broccoli – Those green florets of broccoli that most people tend to shun, are, in fact, great at protecting you from arterial disease. Broccoli contains sulforaphane, a natural compound that triggers certain proteins that prevent arterial clogging.

Artemin, a curcumin enriched supplement created by Bagdara Farms in Katni, Madhya Pradesh is a perfect solution for those individuals who fall in a high-risk group for arterial disease. Consuming Artemin every day in the form of a concoction made using hot water and a pinch of pepper along with a teaspoon of Artemin can help unclog arteries as well as prevent damage in the future.