Super-foods for preventing cerebrovascular diseases
By Cho Ae-kyung
.jpg?w=728)
This week, Seoul was hit by the coldest weather of the year so far, with morning temperatures dropping down to around minus 10 degrees Celsius. Due to such bitter cold in the winter, the blood vessels in the body temporarily contract, and this can lead to unexpected health problems. It is required that people pay particular attention to managing their health during this season.
In winter, we should be especially mindful of cerebrovascular disease. The vast temperature differences between outdoors and indoors stress the blood vessels in the brain. As the blood vessels contract and the blood supply tends to be reduced in winter, the heart beats faster to maintain the proper body temperature. This strains the heart, increasing the possibility of people with hypertension having a brain hemorrhage. According to various studies, the number of patients visiting hospitals due to complications with blood vessels in the brain increased by 42 percent in the past five years, with the number of such patients peaking in the period from December to February.
As the disease can lead to speech impairment, paralysis and even death, early prevention through constant care is especially important. A basic precautionary measure is a healthy diet, consuming various natural foods that promote blood vessel health. It is beneficial to consume foods that are high in anti-oxidants and boost the body’s immune system.
As one of the “warm” foods in Oriental medicine, garlic helps raise our body temperature. It also inhibits the synthesis of lipids and accelerates the circulation of blood rich in minerals and vitamins. Furthermore, garlic lowers cholesterol and eliminates waste that accumulates in our blood vessels by breaking down neutral fats. The regular consumption of garlic is, therefore, helpful in preventing cerebrovascular disease.
The capsaicins in chilies aid in relaxation and contraction of blood vessel muscles so as to accelerate blood circulation, warming the body as a result. Additionally, they purify blood vessels by preventing the accumulation of cholesterol in the body, providing protection from various blood vessel disorders including cerebrovascular disease. Capsaicins are resistant to heat, and this means they go through less destruction of nutrients during the cooking process than other ingredients. So, having food with lots of chilies is one way to maintain healthy blood vessels for the winter.
Tomatoes, which are also called “the red nutritional supplements,” contain lycopenes, carotenes, and a variety of vitamins. They are known as food with excellent antacid functions. Lycopenes, being the major nutrients in tomatoes, have 100 times more antioxidative effects than vitamin E. Vitamin C and rutins in tomatoes make healthier capillaries and lower blood pressure. According to a study by Kyoto University researchers in Japan, tomatoes contain the ingredients that prevent blood vessel disorders. The riper the tomatoes are, the richer they are in lycopenes, the health keeping constituent for blood vessels. When heat is applied to tomatoes, lycopenes are absorbed better, so it is more effective to eat tomatoes cooked, as part of spaghetti sauce or stir-fried rather than raw.
A combination of appropriate indoor exercising and healthy dieting will help the prevention of cerebrovascular diseases. Exercising helps blood circulation and keeps adequate body temperature. Of course, it is good to keep away from exposure to a sudden cold, using scarves and mufflers. Also, taking a warm bath for an adequate time gives vigor to the body and improves blood circulation. It is advisable to keep indoor temperatures from 18 to 20 degrees Celsius and open the windows to let fresh air in for about 10 to 30 minutes with intervals of two to three hours.
The writer is a doctor who runs the We Clinic in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul, which is dedicated to health and beauty. She is certified by the Korean Vegetable Sommelier Association for her expert knowledge on the characteristics of fruit and vegetables, and she also serves as an honorary ambassador for Sun at Food, a chain restaurant operator.