The perfect summery side dish with any meal, research indicates that along with many other vegetables, asparagus shows potential in not only treating cardiovascular diseases, but also in helping prevent them by promoting anti-inflammation, regulating blood pressure and blood glucose.

The banana is as good as it gets in terms of grab-and-go foods. Easy to pack in a lunch or snack on any time of day, bananas have virtually no fat, cholesterol or sodium. A good source of vitamins C and B6, the flavorful fruit is also loaded with potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance, both of which are important to heart health.

Grown in an array of vibrant colors, the bell pepper is a popular ingredient and surprisingly easy to cut when you use this simple hack. It’s also full of antioxidants, which have been shown to help prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases, as well as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.

The American Heart Association recommends eating a variety of beans as part of a heart-healthy diet. Considering they are great in soups, chili, pasta dishes and everyday meals, incorporating them is easy. High in protein and a good way to add more fiber to your diet, black beans are low in saturated fat and are a serious power food. Even better, as part of a healthy lifestyle, they can also help improve blood cholesterol, a leading cause of heart disease.

Full of protein, broccoli is a good source of vitamin C, which research suggests can help prevent cardiovascular disease and reduce blood p

Eating whole foods is one of the best things you can do for your heart, according to cardiologists. And those whole foods definitely include caulflower. Loaded with vitamin C and folate, cauliflower has been called “a nutrition superstar” by the Mayo Clinic. It’s gluten, cholesterol and fat free. Cauliflower also contains sulforaphane, an antioxidant that protects against cardiovascular disease. 

Adding a little spice to your life might benefit your heart, and there are more ways to do it than just with the world’s hottest hot sauces. The burning sensation that accompanies cayenne comes from capsaicin — an extract found in chili peppers. People who eat them have been shown to have lower levels of “bad” cholesterol and a lower incidence of deaths from heart disease. Capsaicin has also been shown to be helpful in treating pain from injuries and arthritis.

There’s something about eating cherries that reminds us of all the delicious things we eat during the summer. Delightful and sweet, especially when they are in season, they’re a source of polyphenols and vitamin C, which both have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Eating cherries has been shown to help decrease oxidative stress, which is linked to certain cardiovascular diseases.