The Heart-Smart Diet: 8 Steps to a Healthier You

Green and black teas are a rich source of flavonoids, especially quercetin and epigallocatechin gallate, substances that may relax blood vessels, prevent blood from clotting, and head off plaque buildup. "Studies indicate that the more you drink, the lower your risk of heart disease," says Mikelle McCoin, RD, senior nutrition director at the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease in San Francisco. One study showed that drinking three cups of tea a day reduced the risk of heart disease by 11 percent.

Food Fix: For the most benefit, brew your own green or black tea by just dunking a tea bag in hot water for three to five minutes. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, brewed tea contains five to 10 times the flavonoids of bottled tea. Switch to decaf if you like. Decaffeination doesn't affect flavonoid content.