5:20pm Thursday 5th August 2010
Did you know that one hour of gardening can burn off around 290 calories? That is equivalent to having a piece of chocolate cake. Simple lifestyle changes such as eating healthily, reducing salt intake, not smoking and exercising, can help reduce our risk of heart disease which remains the biggest killer in the UK. As allotment week is here there’s no better time to become “green fingered” and get digging towards a healthy heart. Not only will your heart reap rewards from the exercise there are plenty of other benefits too.
o Home grown fruits and vegetables means they won’t have travelled miles to the supermarket meaning you won’t lose out on essential vitamins, minerals and heart healthy antioxidants.
o Think of the savings; you won’t need to add them to your shopping list and there’ll be no excuse not to have your 5-a-day.
o Spread the heart healthy message to your children and get them involved – they will love to see the crops grow and it could encourage them to try new things – from cabbage to courgette, runner beans to radishes, tomatoes to turnips.
o growing herbs in the garden, which are a great alternative for flavouring food rather than salt, will help keep your blood pressure in check.
o No garden? Get yourself a little herb box which you can keep on the windowsill or on a patio and be creative with your surroundings by growing cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets and potatoes in an old bin.
Make the most of your summer, get those spades out and get digging for a happier, healthier heart.
For more information and advice about healthy living, contact Heart Research UK on 0113 297 6206 or email lifestyle@heartresearch.org.uk
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