4 things a cardiac surgeon avoids to keep the heart healthy
Dr. Jeremy London, a cardiovascular surgeon, highlights four key factors to avoid for optimal heart health. He strongly advises against smoking due to its severe cardiovascular risks, and he emphasizes eliminating alcohol, citing its toxicity. Furthermore, he warns against sugary soft drinks and refined flours, advocating for whole foods to stabilize blood sugar and promote cardiovascular wellness.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally. In 2023 alone, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were responsible for 17.9 million deaths globally. Keeping the heart in good shape is crucial for overall health and wellness.
Dr. Jeremy London, a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon with over a million followers on Instagram, has now outlined four things he avoids to maintain heart health. Let's take a look.
Smoking
Dr. London steers clear of smoking. He emphasizes that smoking is the single worst habit for overall health, particularly for the heart. 'Destroys your lungs, causes lung cancer, high cardiovascular risks, heart attacks, and strokes,' he warns. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (
CDC
), smoking contributes to about 1 in 4 deaths from heart disease.
Smoking raises blood pressure, heart rate, and the likelihood of blood clots, all of which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other heart problems.
Alcohol
If you want a healthy heart, stay away from alcohol. The heart surgeon avoids alcohol consumption. 'Hate to break it to you. Alcohol is toxic to every cell in your body. Your body, your rules, you decide for yourself. For me personally, removing alcohol from my life has probably been one of the most transformative decisions I've made as an adult,' the doctor said in a video shared on Instagram.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting
Luxeartisanship
Buy Now
Undo
The WHO has confirmed that no level of alcohol consumption is safe.
The risk starts from the first drop. It doesn't matter how much you drink; the risk to the drinker's health starts from the first drop of any alcoholic beverage. So, quit alcohol if you want to keep your heart healthy.
Ditch soft drinks
Well, if you thought soft drinks or sugary beverages were doing you any good, understand it's not. Dr. London calls soft drinks 'liquid death.'
Their high sugar content and lack of nutritional value make them dangerous. Growing studies have shown that these beverages contribute to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Regular consumption increases the risk of cardiovascular events. 'Just don't drink them, period, done,' he warns.
Refined flours
Dr. London advises against consuming breads and pastas made from refined flours. 'Eighty percent of weight control is diet, twenty percent is exercise,' he says. He emphasized that dietary choices outweigh physical activity in managing weight and heart health. Refined carbohydrates can spike blood sugar and contribute to obesity, a major risk factor for heart disease. Instead, he recommends eating whole and unprocessed foods to stabilize blood sugar and boost cardiovascular health.
Shreyas Iyer and Ibrahim Ali Khan's Nutritionist Nicole Kedia Breaks Down Their Diet SECRETS
One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Don't mix these 6 fruits together – Here's why it may harm digestion
Mixing fruits in your smoothie or salad might seem like a healthy habit—but not all combos are gut-friendly. Some fruits don't play well together when it comes to digestion, and combining them can lead to bloating, gas, or even nutrient loss. Ayurveda and modern nutrition both warn against certain fruit pairings that can disrupt your digestive fire or confuse your gut bacteria. If you've ever felt uneasy after a 'healthy' fruit bowl, the mix might be to blame. Here's a look at six fruit combinations you should avoid—and why your stomach might thank you for keeping them separate. Acidic fruits + Sweet fruits Example: Oranges and bananas, strawberries and raisins This is the most common mistake. Acidic and sub-acidic fruits like oranges, strawberries, and apples digest faster, while sweet fruits like bananas and figs take longer. Mixing the two can cause fermentation in the stomach, leading to gas, bloating, and even acidosis. It's like throwing two logs of different burning speeds into the same fire — they just don't burn evenly. Starchy fruits + High-protein fruits Example: Green bananas and avocados Starches need an alkaline digestive environment, while proteins require acid. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Put them together, and you create a biochemical traffic jam. Your digestive system is forced to multitask in a way it's not designed to, which can result in indigestion, nutrient malabsorption, and fatigue. Melons + Any other fruit Example: Watermelon and apples Melons digest the fastest among fruits due to their high water content. When mixed with slower-digesting fruits like apples or pears, they often ferment in the stomach. This can cause bloating, nausea, and even diarrhea. Melons should always be eaten alone — 'eat them, or leave them alone' is a popular mantra in natural health circles. Papaya + Lemon While papaya is known for its digestive enzymes, pairing it with lemon can disrupt your body's pH balance. The acidic nature of lemon clashes with papaya's alkaline profile, potentially leading to stomach discomfort or acid reflux. This mix is especially risky for children or people with sensitive digestion. Guava + Banana Though both are rich in nutrients, guava and banana make for a troubled digestive pair. The high fiber content in guava combined with banana's starchy texture can lead to bloating and acidity. Over time, this could irritate the gut lining and impair nutrient absorption. Fruits + Vegetables Example: Oranges and carrots Fruits and vegetables differ significantly in how they digest. Fruits, especially sweet or acidic ones, are broken down quickly, while vegetables often take longer. Mixing them can lead to incomplete digestion and fermentation in the gut, resulting in gas or even headaches. The content in this article is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider before starting any diet, supplement, fitness, or health program. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Practise yoga for health and unity: CM urges people on Yoga Day eve
Bhopal: On the eve of World Yoga Day , chief minister Mohan Yadav made a fervent appeal to the people of the state to practice Yoga for a healthy body and mind. In a blog, he stated that Yoga is a divine state where individual consciousness unites with the supreme consciousness. Irrespective of religion, caste, or creed, every person has the opportunity to attain this divine state through Yoga. It is a precious gift of India to humanity, he said. Yadav further mentioned that it was the tireless efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that led the United Nations General Assembly to declare 21 June as International Yoga Day. With this, he ushered in a new era of comprehensive health awareness across the globe, focusing more on prevention rather than cure. We are now celebrating the 11th International Yoga Day, which is dedicated to the theme: "Yoga for One Earth, One Health." The aim is to highlight the interrelationship between human well-being and the health of our planet. It is simple to understand that when the body and mind are healthy, we are also able to take care of our fellow communities and the environment. He expressed pride in the fact that the scientific practice of Yoga has been well-preserved in India. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 40代以上でPC持ってるなら、このゲームはあなた向け！ Hero Wars ゲームをプレイ Undo The entire world is now benefiting from the rich heritage of Yogic philosophy. Yoga transcends boundaries of religion, caste, and colour, he said, adding that people often ask about the benefits of Yoga. The simplest answer is peace. The body and mind need peace the most. A disturbed mind and uncontrolled body can negatively affect society. Yoga is a divine gateway towards peace. After Swami Vivekananda's historic address on Vedanta at the 'Parliament of Religions', he was invited across the US to speak on Vedanta philosophy. When he met American students, they asked how to focus on studies. Swamiji said: The only way is concentration, which arises from peace of mind that is achieved through meditation. The Katha Upanishad describes Yoga as the art of controlling the senses. The Bhagavad Gita defines it as detachment from sorrow. Sage Patanjali, in his Yoga Sutras, explains Yoga as the method to control the fluctuations of the mind. Sri Aurobindo went further to say that human life itself is Yoga. The ultimate goal of Yoga is to experience supreme consciousness. It is a state where the mind is aligned only with justice and righteousness, where values like compassion, kindness, friendship, and peace shine brightly. This state is essential for every human being, regardless of their religion, caste, community, or nationality. Imagine a world where everyone practices Yoga together — all differences disappear. The sense of geographical boundaries vanishes from the mind. Regardless of the country, the whole world becomes one. When the mind becomes unified through Yogic practices, inner joy remains constant, he said.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Tribal, rural districts show strong enthusiasm in yoga events
Visakhapatnam: Of the two crore registrations targeted by Andhra Pradesh govt for the International Day of Yoga initiative, the state has already surpassed expectations with 2.4 crore registrations. Interestingly, tribal districts and those with predominantly rural populations have shown a strong interest in the event. For instance, Parvathipuram-Manyam district recorded 5.45 lakh registrations against a target of 3.9 lakh, achieving 140%, the highest among all districts. Similarly, Annamayya, Vizianagaram, and Alluri Sitharama Raju districts each achieved over 120% of their targets, ranking as the next top three after Parvathipuram-Manyam. All 26 districts have exceeded their targets by at least 1%. Beyond registrations, events conducted across these districts, from villages to district headquarters, witnessed strong enthusiasm and widespread public participation. The month-long Yogandhra campaign helped extend the reach of the Yoga Day event planned in Visakhapatnam to nearly every part of the state. In terms of district-wise venue registration, Annamayya, Anakapalli, Bapatla, Nellore, Vizianagaram, and East Godavari onboarded more venues than targeted. In contrast, urban-dominated Visakhapatnam district lagged behind, falling at least 25% short of its venue registration target. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo During the Yogandhra campaign, participation across venues showcased extensive community engagement and a robust statewide mobilisation effort. At the village level, 14,947 competitions were held out of a targeted 14,999. At the mandal level, all 784 planned competitions were successfully executed, involving 1,16,814 participants. These mandal events served as a crucial bridge between smaller communities and broader district-level activities, ensuring diverse local voices contributed meaningfully. District-level events further strengthened this collective effort, with all 26 scheduled competitions held and 9,826 participants actively engaged. Health minister Satya Kumar Yadav said the main aim behind the conduct of these events is to transform AP into a healthier state. "The state govt treated this as a prestigious initiative. Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu propelled the yoga movement forward by spreading awareness about its health benefits. The grassroots activities held over the past month were instrumental in bringing the essence of yoga and wellness directly into local communities, besides fostering inclusivity and regional pride. This structured, multi-tiered approach not only delivered organisational excellence but also reinforced cultural heritage and collective solidarity across the state. By engaging participants from the most remote villages to the larger districts, the campaign demonstrated its far-reaching impact and unwavering commitment to health, unity, and the rich traditions of Andhra Pradesh," Yadav said. GFX Parvathipuram Manyam stands out as exceptional performer, leading with a 140% achievement Other strong performers include Annamayya (124%), Vizianagaram (123%), Alluri Sitharama Raju (119%) All districts exceeded their targets in participant registrations
