9. Tomatoes
Whether tossed in a salad or simmered into sauce, tomatoes do more for your heart than you might expect. They’re one of the best sources of lycopene, an antioxidant linked to lower levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol and improved flexibility in artery walls. Here’s the twist: cooking tomatoes into sauce or paste actually increases the amount of lycopene your body can absorb, rather than destroying it like most nutrients. Pair tomato dishes with a little olive oil, since lycopene is fat-soluble and absorbs better that way. A few servings a week, in whatever form you enjoy them, adds up.
