Your heart works hard for you every minute of the day. Isn’t it time you showed it a little love in return? Very low in saturated fat and 100% cholesterol-free, Silk is a naturally heart-smart choice that you can feel great about.
Every delicious glass of Silk Vanilla provides 6.25 grams of soy protein, which has been recognized by the FDA for its role in heart health. In fact, the FDA asserts that 25 grams of soy protein per day, as part of a healthy diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce your risk of heart disease.
Research also suggests that soy protein may offer a natural way to help lower cholesterol. In fact, maintaining a healthy soy habit could make a difference in as little as four weeks. A 2007 study compared cholesterol levels between those who drank soymilk and those who drank 1% dairy milk as part of an overall sensible diet. In only four weeks, the soymilk group showed a 5% reduction in LDL cholesterol—a statistically significant advantage over those who consumed dairy milk.1
More Heart Smart Choices
Adding Silk to your heart healthy lifestyle is a great first step, but there are plenty of other everyday ways to pamper your ticker, like getting enough sleep and keeping stress at bay. The American Heart Association (AHA) suggests the following tips:2
- Pick the right fats. Certain fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, can have a beneficial effect on your health when consumed in moderation. Monounsaturated fats are found in foods such as nuts and seeds, olives, avocados, and olive and canola oils. Polyunsaturated fats are found in foods like fish, soybeans and sunflower and safflower oils. Try to limit your consumption of saturated fats, which are found in butter, other animal products, baked goods and fried food.
- Fill your cart with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods are full of protective antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber.
- Eat fish at least twice week. Fish like salmon, trout and herring are good sources of heart-healthy omega-3s.
- Say no thanks to trans fats. These fats may increase your risk of heart disease. Trans fats, which are often listed as “partially hydrogenated oils” on an ingredients list, are found in many foods, especially fried foods and baked goods, as well as stick margarines and shortenings.
- Limit your salt intake, and consume alcohol in moderation. Your heart will thank you.
- Keep your cholesterol under 300 milligrams a day. Increasing your intake of soyfoods like Silk may be a great way to naturally cut back on the amount of cholesterol you consume. Also check out Silk Heart Health, which has been clinically shown to help reduce cholesterol.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Heart disease is more common in people who are overweight or obese.
- Get moving! The AHA recommends 30 minutes of walking each day. As always, consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
- Stop smoking. Positive health benefits start almost immediately once you quit smoking, and within a few years of quitting, your risk for stroke and heart disease is similar to that of non-smokers.
1 Gardner CD, Messina M, Kiazand A, Morris JL, Franke AA. Effect of two types of soy milk and dairy milk on plasma lipids in hypercholesterolemic adults: a randomized trial. ,J Am Coll Nutr. Dec;26(6):669-77(2007.
2 American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations, 2006.
