02/20/2026
As part of American Heart Month, our CCMH Registered Dietitian is providing you with "Food Facts Friday," which helps bring awareness to heart health through eating right and reducing risk factors. Heart health is influenced not only by genetics and physical activity, but also by the nutrients consumed on a daily basis. With heart health, it’s not only about what you limit, but also about what you do eat that matters. In week three, we will briefly discuss how fiber plays a distinct and important role in maintaining cardiovascular function.
Fiber and Cardiovascular Protection
Dietary fiber is one of the most consistently beneficial nutrients for heart health. Soluble fiber, found in foods such as oats, beans, lentils, fruits, and vegetables, helps lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by reducing its absorption in the intestines. Fiber also improves glycemic control, supports healthy gut bacteria, and promotes satiety, which can aid in weight management. High-fiber diets are associated with lower rates of coronary heart disease, stroke, and hypertension.
Good Sources of Heart Healthy Fiber: black beans, navy beans, chickpeas, lentils, whole grain oats, quinoa, brown rice, whole grain bread, whole grain pasta, barley, raspberries, blackberries, pears and apples with skin, almond, walnuts, flaxseed, bananas, avocados, chia seeds, and broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and artichokes.
