3 Foods That Cause Arteries to “Harden and Narrow”

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These foods can increase the risk of blood clots that can potentially block blood flow of blood to the heart or brain, the doctor warns.

Blood clots that form without any real reason can be extremely dangerous. One of the most dangerous types is related to atherosclerosis, a potentially serious disease in which arteries become clogged with fatty substances called plaques or atheroma.

Eating too much of three popular foods may increase your risk of developing atherosclerosis and a related type of blood clot.

As the health authority explains, the plaques involved in atherosclerosis cause the “hardening and narrowing of the arteries,” restricting blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs.

This, in turn, increases the risk of blood clots that can potentially block blood flow to the heart or brain.

You should avoid foods high in saturated fat, salt, or sugar to reduce your risk of developing atherosclerosis. A recent study explains how saturated fat contributes to plaque formation. Eating foods high in saturated fat and choline — a nutrient found in red meat, eggs and dairy — increases the amount of metabolites — substances that are produced or needed for metabolism — that build up plaque in the arteries.

Research shows how a high-fat diet disrupts the bacterial balance in the gut and leads to the production of harmful substances that cause cardiovascular disease.

Choline is a common component of a high-fat Western-style diet . When bacteria in the gut break down food containing choline, they produce a metabolite known as trimethylamine (TMA). TMA is produced in the intestine, but is oxidized and converted in the liver to TMAO (trimethylamine-N-oxide).