Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, and a few others have received the heart-check mark by the American Heart Association and approved by the FDA that claims the following: "Eating a diet that includes one ounce of nuts daily can reduce your risk of heart disease".

With cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death in the United States and many other parts of the world, it´s important that we understand what we can do to prevent it. Lifestyle factors, including diet, are among the top contributors to heart-health.

There are a few key nutrients that when included in a healthy diet are known to have a positive effect for the cardiovascular system. Some of these include omega-3 fatty acids, monounsaturated fats, magnesium, polyphenols such as resveratrol, folate, vitamin B6, B12, and potassium.

Keep Your Heart Ticking

We chose the following ingredients that promote heart-health to combine into delicious healthy cardio-protective nut & seed butters:

Almonds:

Are an excellent source of vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant, plus, ounce for ounce, almonds are one of the most nutrient-dense nuts on earth providing many healthy nutrients. They are cholesterol free, and have very low saturated fat content like pretty much all nuts and seeds. They also have the sought after heart-check by the American Heart Association!

Macadamias:

These nuts naturally contain plant sterols which combined with the high amount of monounsaturated oils, fiber and phytochemicals all add up to make them a superfood for your heart.

Cashews:

Are rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA´s), similar to those found in olive oil. They are a source of essential minerals including magnesium, zinc and copper and some antioxidants.

Hazelnuts:

Have the highest folate content than any other nut, an important vitamin that may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Thanks to the combination of healthy nutrients that hazelnuts contain, they have the heart-check mark.

Matcha powder:

Matcha is a type of powdered, high-quality green tea. It´s very high in antioxidants, especially catechins, which are very powerful and may help fight inflammation in the body, maintain healthy arteries and promote cell repair. It contains about 3 times more antioxidants than other types of high-quality green tea. It also contains more caffeine, so keep this in mind if you need to cut back on caffeine.

Cacao:

Raw cacao powder has more than 300 phytochemicals and nearly four times the antioxidant power of regular dark chocolate. Research studies suggest that these chemical compounds, by virtue of their antioxidant properties, work against cancers, inflammation, aging, and viral infections.

Figs:

Add a touch of sweetness and a lot of fiber. They provide vitamins such as B6 and minerals including potassium, magnesium, and manganese. All important for cardiovascular health.

Superfood Nut Butters Combinations Good for the Heart

Ingredients

Matcha Nut Butter

• 1 cup macadamia nuts
• 1 cup cashews
• ¼ cup mild honey
• ¾ Tbs. lemon juice
• 2 tsp. matcha powder
• ¼ tsp. sea salt, or to taste

Heart-healthy chocolate hazelnut butter

• 1 cup almonds
• 1 cup hazelnuts
• 2 tablespoons of cacao
• 4 figs

Instructions

• Place all ingredients in the NutraMilk container (works best with the Butter Smoothie Bowl)
• Press Butter cycle, set for 10 minutes.
• Press Start.
• Open the container lid.
• If necessary, set for an additional 1-2 minutes for a creamier butter.