10 Heart Healthy Foods For Valentine's Day (Slideshow)

Berries are amazing! They block oxidation and plaque growth and can help improve artery function.

We can't say enough good things about beans!  They are fiber- rich, have a lot of potassium, and contain both anti-aging and anti-oxidant properties.  If you add a half cup of beans to your diet and slowly graduate to a daily cup, you can reduce your LDL cholesterol, increase your HDL cholesterol, and can even help you control blood sugar levels.

People do not eat enough nuts. We recommend you have a cup a day of nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, and hazelnuts for healthy fats and tons of fiber!

Loaded with healthy fats, avocados are great for lowering cholesterol levels. Healthy fats like the ones found in avocados help to protect your cholesterol from oxidizing into artery plaque.

More flavorful food means better food. We have biochemical affinity for spices. They lower inflammation and slow every aspect of aging. 

These fiber rich vegetables — cabbage, bok choy, broccoli, etc. — help detoxify the body. They remove toxic compounds that your body takes in like industrial chemicals, pesticides and various other pollutants which stiffen arteries and lower energy. 

First off, if you are enjoying eggs they absolutely must be free-range, organic and omeg-3 enriched. Hens are fed flaxseed and therefore have half the saturated fat than regular grocery store eggs.

With meats, even red meat, it must be clean and lean. Eating all grass fed organic protein will improve your heart health because they have more beneficial long-chain omega-3 fats.

Unfortunately you can't just ingest a whole bottle of red wine for your heart. The key is limiting yourself. One glass a day at dinner will keep your cardiovascular system young. Red wine even helps improves digestion and decreases your plaque buildup and risk of clotting.

Whether you are indulging in an ounce of pure dark chocolate or a cup of unsweetened hot cocoa, you are doing a darn good thing for your heart! This daily treat helps dilate arteries to improve their function and lowers your risk of clotting. Plus it is packed with stress relieving and anti-aging compounds!