As World Heart Month kicks off, a silent crisis is brewing in our kitchens. While we focus on “cholesterol numbers,” the real battle is happening inside our arteries. The Population’s Arterial stiffness and the loss of elasticity in our blood vessels is a leading cause of early heart aging in our city.
But according to me, the solution isn’t a fancy “superfood” from the West. It’s sitting right there in the Devaraja Market.
Adults in their 30s are showing the arteries of adults in their 60s. In order to change this, wemust stop “Googling” our meals and instead focus on the Mysuru plate’s history. When consumed properly, our native products are truly vascular medication.
I identified three local powerhouses that act as a “fountain of youth” for your blood vessels:
1. Forget imported oats; our local Ragi (Finger Millet) is the ultimate artery cleaner. Rich in magnesium and fiber, it lowers the “stiffness index” of your heart’s main highways.
2. The inner lining of your arteries (the endothelium) is what keeps you alive. One Amla a day helps your arteries produce Nitric Oxide, the gas that tells your blood vessels to relax and widen, instantly lowering your heart’s workload.
3. Mysuru’s love for greens like Sabsige (Dill) and Menthya (Fenugreek) is a scientific masterstroke. These are high in natural nitrates which act like a “natural bypass”, keeping blood moving and preventing the “sludge” that leads to blockages.
Blocked vs Healthy Arteries – What Your Lifestyle Is Doing Inside.
To keep your heart young, Nutrinest with Megha recommends moving away from refined products. Swap your white rice for Millet Bisi Bele Bath to lower the inflammation that scars artery walls. Replace deep-fried evening vadas with Roasted Chana or Walnuts to avoid dangerous trans-fats. Finally, trade your sugary tea for a Ginger and Lemon infusion; ginger improves circulation while lemon protects the vessel lining.
This isn’t just tradition, it’s science. The ICRISAT 2021 Analysis proves that millets significantly reduce cholesterol and Body Mass Index (BMI). Furthermore, research in Frontiers in Nutrition highlights that antioxidants in local spices like turmeric prevent “Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Oxidation”, the process that causes plaque to stick to artery walls.
Visually shows plaque buildup and narrowing.
Some sort of miracle drug is not what your heart is searching for. It is requesting our gardens’ antioxidants and our fields’ fibre. Eat fresh, locally sourced food to keep your arteries youthful.
By:
Megha Kiran |Senior Nutritionist & Founder, Nutrinest with Megha
