Valentine’s Day isn’t just candy and corny pick-up lines. It’s also about expressing your love for one another. This Valentine’s Day get your partner’s heart pumping! Don’t know how to make your bae’s heart skip a beat? Love is in the air and your heart may be a flutter, but not to worry! Here are 5 Valentine’s Day gift ideas that are good for the heart and will woo your boo:

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1. Chocolate

Chocolate seems like the most obvious gift to give your Valentine, but did you know that chocolate could actually be good for the heart? Dark chocolate is preferred over milk chocolate because it has a lot less sugar. In addition, dark chocolate is one of the foods that are highest in flavonoids. A Flavonoid is essentially a plant compound that is often found in food, like cocoa. Flavonoids, also considered to be antioxidants, help to prevent diabetes, cancer, cognitive diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, and cardiovascular diseases. Sharing some chocolate with a loved one this Valentine’s Day can actually help benefit the cardiovascular system.

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2. Fruit

If you’re not necessarily a chocolate person or you want to give a sweet gift with only natural sugar, fruit is a great option! Red fruits, including strawberries and cherries, are full of antioxidants. You can also consider using heart-shaped cookie cutters to create watermelon or pineapple hearts, so you’ve got a healthy gift and a festive one, too! And for the best of both worlds, you can dip your fruit in some dark chocolate. This V-Day, enjoy an edible arrangement, while also supporting your cardiovascular system!

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3. Red Wine

Gifting a bottle of red wine can be more than just an expression of love. Like cocoa, red wine also has flavonoids from grape skins. Past research confirmed that drinking a moderate amount of red wine is beneficial to your health by raising levels of good cholesterol, as well as potentially preventing blood clots. Additionally, the alcohol from the wine can thin the blood, which may be helpful against stroke and heart disease. Nevertheless, drinking too much alcohol can contribute to cardiovascular diseases, so the key is to drink red wine in moderation. Therefore, indulging in a glass or two of your favorite Boudreaux this Valentine’s Day may even boost your heart health!  

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4. Pedometer

Fitbits, Apple watches, and step counters have been very trendy recently. What better way to boost your cardiovascular system than by raising your heart rate with some exercise? Gifting your significant other with a pedometer or some other step counter can motivate them to get moving! This type of gift will give you the opportunity to easily plan some great dates! You can go on a hike together or even a romantic walk on the beach for Valentine’s Day. Take in the sunset while lowering your blood sugar! Besides all the exercise you two will get, there are also other opportunities to make a positive impact on your heart health. Spend some quality time together by participating in a heart health study to contribute to a healthier future!

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5. A Loving Card

One of the simplest, yet most meaningful gifts that you can give to your partner is a heartfelt card. Sharing your feelings, kind words, and spreading the love is more powerful than you may think. There is evidence that love and healthy, loving relationships can protect you from heart disease. Affirming your love for one another can lower stress levels. In addition, all humans crave touch and intimacy. Human touch has proven to reduce blood pressure levels, provide feelings of safety and comfort, as well as a sense of connection. It may seem intuitive, but oftentimes we forget that something as small as a touch or a kind word can be a very effective way to show your love.

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Valentine’s Day gifts don’t need to be very elaborate or include some kind of guilty pleasure. Showing love and compassion is possible in many different ways. Whether your gift is a sweet treat or a memorable experience, make this year’s Valentine’s Day even more special with a healthy heart!

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Interested in heart health research? Together we can make an impact towards a healthier future: Signup for StudyPages and be the first to hear about cardiovascular research studies near you.

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References:
https://scrippsamg.com/heart-healthy-tips-valentines-day/
https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-flavonoids#1
https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/valentines-day-good-heart