Credit: Riya V. Anandwala
Red pepper: Pepper contains fiber, which lowers cholesterol and reduces homocysteine, which is associated with increased risk of heart problems. It’s also loaded with vitamins A and C, which sweep out free radicals that oxidize cholesterol, leading to heart disease. Get extra fire power by choosing a red pepper, which is rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant in the carotenoid family that is associated with heart health, says Katie Eliot, Ph.D., assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics at Saint Louis University.