Heart

Nutrients connected to Heart

A link means the body needs the nutrient for this, or that low intake is linked to it. It does not mean extra supplements help if your intake is already adequate; each link shows how strong the evidence is.

• PotassiumEstablished role

  Potassium helps the heart muscle work properly. Too much or too little can disturb heart rhythm.

• Licorice rootDocumented risk

  Irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest have been linked to glycyrrhizin, mostly with large amounts or long use.

• Bitter orangeDocumented risk

  Fast or irregular heart rhythm and heart-muscle injury have been reported after bitter orange supplements; a 2026 case report calls the link possible, not proven.

• Blue cohoshDocumented risk

  A newborn heart attack with severe heart failure was reported after the mother took blue cohosh; compounds in the plant were toxic to animal heart muscle.

• YohimbeDocumented risk

  Irregular heartbeat and heart attacks have been associated with yohimbine (NCCIH).

• FoxgloveDocumented risk

  All parts of foxglove are poisonous and can slow the heart or cause irregular rhythm. This is a poisoning warning, not a use.

• Bala (country mallow)Documented risk

  A case report describes atrial tachycardia in a man taking a multi-ingredient supplement with heart-leaf sida; it stopped within 24 hours of stopping the product.

• Pleurisy rootDocumented risk

  Milkweeds contain cardiac glycosides, and one consumer reference says pleurisy root has a digoxin-like chemical that may harm the heart. This is a safety warning, not a use.

• KhatDocumented risk

  Observational studies link khat chewing with heart attack and cardiomyopathy; the DEA lists arrhythmias.

• Aconite (monkshood)Documented risk

  Aconite is highly poisonous to the heart and nerves: aconitine can cause dangerous heart rhythm problems, numbness and tingling, and deaths from cardiac arrest have been reported. Processing lowers but does not remove the risk.

• OleanderDocumented risk

  All parts of oleander are poisonous and can slow the heart or cause irregular rhythm. This is a poisoning warning, not a use.

• Lily of the valleyDocumented risk

  Swallowing any part can cause digitalis-like heart effects: a slow or irregular heartbeat, heart block and collapse. This is a poisoning risk, not a benefit.

• Calotropis (arka)Documented risk

  Cardiac glycosides in the plant can cause severe heart toxicity (case report); rats showed heart-muscle injury.

• Ivory funnelDocumented risk

  A slow heart rate (bradycardia) and low blood pressure were reported in the hospital case and are listed in the poison monograph.

• Scotch broomDocumented risk

  Sources warn that Scotch broom might affect heartbeat; people with heart disease are advised not to use it.

• Deadly fibrecapDocumented risk

  Slow heart rate and low blood pressure are listed in the monograph and the hospital series.

• Licorice Root TeaDocumented risk

  NCCIH says glycyrrhizin can cause irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest; a case report links licorice root tea to torsades de pointes.

• Hawthorn TeaDocumented risk

  Heart medicine interaction cautions and a tejocote look-alike warning; see a doctor for heart symptoms (EMA).

• Mad Honey (Grayanotoxin Honey)Documented risk

  Heart block and slow heart rate occur in poisoning.

• Vitamin B1 (thiamin)Deficiency link

  Wet beriberi from severe thiamin lack affects the heart. Thiamin supplements did not improve heart function in trials in people with heart failure.

• CalciumEstablished role

  Calcium helps keep a normal heartbeat.

• MagnesiumEstablished role

  Magnesium helps keep the heartbeat steady. Low levels can cause irregular heart rhythms, and severe untreated deficiency can lead to cardiac arrest.

• IronDocumented risk

  Untreated iron build-up in haemochromatosis can damage the heart.

• SeleniumDeficiency link

  Keshan disease, a heart muscle condition, is caused by severe selenium deficiency.

• PhosphorusEstablished role

  Phosphorus supports a normal heartbeat.

• Arginine and citrullineDocumented risk

  A trial in 153 people after a first heart attack found no improvement in heart function and more deaths with arginine.

• Fish oilDocumented risk

  A 2021 analysis of 7 large trials found more atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) with marine omega-3 supplements, with a higher signal in trials using more than 1 g a day. People with a heart rhythm condition should ask their clinician.

• Krill oilPreliminary or mixed

  Krill oil lowered LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in pooled trials, but no heart-attack or stroke trials of krill oil were found; the large heart trials used fish oil or purified EPA.

• Omega-3 fatty acids (ALA, EPA and DHA)Preliminary or mixed

  EPA and DHA lower triglycerides by about 15%. Large reviews found little or no effect on heart-event totals from supplements, with a possible small reduction in coronary events (low certainty).

• Flaxseed oil and plant omega-3 (ALA)Preliminary or mixed

  Cochrane found ALA probably slightly lowers irregular heartbeat risk (2 trials) and may slightly lower cardiovascular events (low certainty).

• Omega-6 fatty acidsPreliminary or mixed

  Higher linoleic acid intake and blood levels are linked to lower heart disease risk in cohorts; trials are mixed and low quality.

• Coenzyme Q10Preliminary or mixed

  The heart holds some of the highest CoQ10 amounts. Trials of supplements for heart failure are inconclusive.

• Beta-caroteneDocumented risk

  NCCIH says high doses of beta-carotene may increase death from cardiovascular disease, and the USPSTF recommends against it for preventing heart disease. Not shown to protect the heart.

• Caffeine supplementsDocumented risk

  Too much caffeine can cause a fast heart rate and palpitations; very large amounts from pure powder can cause dangerous heart rhythms.

• Caffeine plus L-theanine and brain formulasDocumented risk

  Fast heart rate and palpitations can occur with too much caffeine.

• DandelionDocumented risk

  The EU herbal committee says use should be avoided in heart failure because of possible high potassium (hyperkalemia).

• SennaDocumented risk

  Low potassium from frequent diarrhoea can cause heart rhythm problems.

• HawthornClinically supported

  Hawthorn leaf-and-flower extract has been studied as an add-on to usual care in chronic heart failure, with a Cochrane review reporting better exercise tolerance and symptoms; NCCIH calls the overall evidence conflicting, and there is no data on deaths.

• Panax notoginsengPreliminary or mixed

  Injection added to standard care after heart attack improved heart-injury measures in a meta-analysis. These findings are for a hospital injection used with standard care, not supplements.

• ArjunaPreliminary or mixed

  The bark is mainly used for heart conditions; trial evidence is small and mixed (see heart health).

• Yerba mateDocumented risk

  Trials listed fast heartbeat and angina as adverse events and the EU lists heart rhythm and blood pressure conditions as reasons not to use mate. A caution only.

• GuaranaDocumented risk

  Caffeine can speed the heart; case reports of rhythm effects with guarana products.

• Cinchona barkDocumented risk

  Quinine can cause fast or irregular heartbeat and prolonged QT; a case report describes a dangerous rhythm.

• Java tea (cat's whiskers)Documented risk

  The EU says not to use Java tea where fluids must be limited, such as severe heart disease or swelling from weak heart function.

• Citrus Fruits (overview)Preliminary or mixed

  Associations with lower heart disease risk in cohort studies; not proof.

• RestharrowDocumented risk

  Not to be used where fluid intake must be limited, such as severe heart disease or oedema from weak heart function (EMA).

• CoconutDocumented risk

  High saturated fat intake raises LDL cholesterol; the oil raised LDL in a meta-analysis. No trial of the meat was found.

• Belladonna (deadly nightshade)Documented risk

  Fast heartbeat is a common feature of poisoning in the sources read.

• SpinachPreliminary or mixed

  Eating more green leafy vegetables is linked to lower heart disease in observational studies, but trials of greens showed no clear blood pressure or artery effect, and the studies cannot prove cause.

• KalePreliminary or mixed

  Leafy greens are linked in cohort studies to lower cardiovascular disease risk; kale not singled out.

• Poison hemlockDocumented risk

  Reports describe abnormal heart rhythm and cardiac arrest.

• Hazelnuts (Filberts)Preliminary or mixed

  Small LDL reduction in pooled trials; event data observational.

• Macadamia NutsPreliminary or mixed

  Conditional FDA claim; small trials.

• Kola NutsDocumented risk

  Palpitations and faster heart rate are listed signs of too much caffeine; the EMA names rhythm problems as a caution.

• Black TeaPreliminary or mixed

  Observational and small-trial findings for heart-related markers; not shown to prevent heart disease.

• Yerba MateDocumented risk

  EU monograph: caution in people with high blood pressure or irregular heartbeat.

• Oat BranClinically supported

  LDL lowering with oat beta-glucan in pooled trials; no proof of fewer heart attacks.

• Soy Foods (Soybeans)Preliminary or mixed

  Observational studies link soy and soy isoflavone intake with lower cardiovascular and coronary heart disease risk, mainly in case-control studies and Asian populations; isoflavones alone showed no link in the 2017 analysis.

• Edamame (Green Soybeans)Preliminary or mixed

  Observational studies link higher legume intake with lower heart disease risk (relative risk 0.90 for coronary heart disease), but certainty was low. Soybeans were not analyzed separately in the abstracts we read.

• TofuPreliminary or mixed

  In three large US cohorts, eating tofu at least weekly was linked with a lower coronary heart disease risk (hazard ratio 0.82). It is observational, so it cannot prove tofu is the cause.

• Canned Beans (Drained, Rinsed)Preliminary or mixed

  Small LDL and blood pressure effects in trials of pulses; cohort links to lower heart disease.

• ButterPreliminary or mixed

  Replacing saturated fat lowered combined heart events in trials; cohort studies of butter itself are neutral.

• Ghee (Clarified Butter)Preliminary or mixed

  Small studies on lipids; coronary heart disease link not significant.

• Cod Liver Oil & Fish Oil (Food View)Preliminary or mixed

  Possible small drop in coronary events (low certainty) but more atrial fibrillation in supplement trials.

• Energy DrinksDocumented risk

  Heart rate, blood pressure and QT findings.

• Sea Salt, Himalayan Salt and Dead Sea Salt: Mineral ClaimsDocumented risk

  WHO links high sodium intake with cardiovascular disease.

• Celtic Grey SaltDocumented risk

  Fluid buildup in heart failure and blood-pressure effects of sodium.

• Kosher SaltDocumented risk

  Fluid buildup in heart failure and blood-pressure effects of sodium.

• Flaky and Smoked SaltsDocumented risk

  MedlinePlus names heart failure as a condition where too much sodium causes fluid buildup.

• Pre-Workout SupplementsDocumented risk

  Fast heartbeat and palpitations; rarer serious events with undeclared stimulants.

• Fat Burners and Weight-Loss BlendsDocumented risk

  Case reports of palpitations and chest pain after synephrine pre-workouts; caffeine may be involved.

• Bone Health FormulasDocumented risk

  Possible higher heart attack risk with calcium supplements in meta-analyses; not settled.

• Energy and Focus BlendsDocumented risk

  Reports of increased heart rate and rhythm changes after energy drinks, including rare cardiac arrest case reports in young people.

• Vitamin DDocumented risk

  Excess vitamin D can cause calcium deposits in soft tissues such as the heart.

• Vitamin EDeficiency link

  Severe, prolonged deficiency can lead to heart rhythm problems. This is uncommon and does not show that supplements help healthy hearts.

• CarnitineDeficiency link

  In rare inherited carnitine disorders, findings include heart muscle disease. These need medical care and are not a reason to take shop supplements.

• Cod liver oilPreliminary or mixed

  Marine omega-3s are studied for heart disease; some analyses found fewer heart attacks, but cod liver oil itself was not singled out.

• Omega-9 fatty acids (oleic acid)Preliminary or mixed

  The NHS says monounsaturated fats help protect the heart. This describes food fats, not omega-9 supplements.

• Green tea extract and EGCGPreliminary or mixed

  Observed links to lower coronary heart disease risk were seen in Asian but not Western populations; trials did not report heart events.

• HibiscusPreliminary or mixed

  Effects were on blood pressure and blood-test markers, not on heart disease outcomes.

• EleutheroDocumented risk

  Fast heartbeat is a listed side effect, and digoxin interaction has been reported.

• Coleus forskohlii (forskolin)Documented risk

  Fast heart rate and low blood pressure are listed adverse reactions; additive effects with blood pressure medicines are possible.

• Horny goat weedDocumented risk

  One case report of tachyarrhythmia in a man with heart failure; MSK advises avoidance in heart disease.

• Danshen (red sage root)Preliminary or mixed

  Danshen is widely used in China for heart and blood vessel conditions. Trials of danshen dripping pills for angina were mostly low quality and tested multi-herb pills, so evidence is limited.

• CorydalisDocumented risk

  WebMD lists heart-rhythm changes (palpitations, chest pain, fainting) as a serious risk; a review advises caution in heart disease based on a rat-heart study.

• GuayusaDocumented risk

  Blood pressure rose; heart rate and QTc showed no treatment effect in one trial.

• Kola nutDocumented risk

  The EMA lists heart rhythm problems and high blood pressure among conditions for caution, because of the caffeine content.

• Ophiopogon (mai dong)Preliminary or mixed

  Trials of Shenmai injection (ginseng plus ophiopogon) added to standard care report better heart-function measures, but certainty is low and it is an injection, not the dried root.

• Birch leafDocumented risk

  The EU monograph advises against use where less fluid is advised, such as severe heart disease.

• Pinellia (ban xia)Lab or animal research only

  Raw tuber raised heart-injury markers in rats; processing lowered the effect. Animal findings only.

• Grape seed extractPreliminary or mixed

  Heart rate fell slightly in a 2022 meta-analysis; heart protection findings in MSK are lab-based.

• Evodia (wu zhu yu)Documented risk

  Rutaecarpine prolonged the QT interval in guinea pigs and blocks the hERG channel in lab work; no human data found.

• ApplesPreliminary or mixed

  Linked with lower cardiovascular risk in observational studies.

• AvocadoPreliminary or mixed

  Heart-related markers (cholesterol) changed slightly in some trials; clinical heart outcomes were not reported.

• BananasEstablished role

  Potassium supports normal heart muscle function (NHS); bananas are one source.

• Lettuce (Romaine & Leaf)Preliminary or mixed

  Studies of people who eat more vegetables, and leafy greens, link them with lower heart disease risk; these are observational and not specific to lettuce.

• Taxillus (sang ji sheng)Documented risk

  Material grown on oleander contained cardiac glycosides, and the 2022 review says the plant may cause complications in people with heart disease. Product contents depend on the host tree.

• Ancho chilePreliminary or mixed

  Cohort studies link regular spicy food to lower heart death risk; association only and not specific to ancho.

• Common earthballDocumented risk

  Slow or racing irregular heartbeat was reported in some moderate or severe cases.

• TomatoesPreliminary or mixed

  Heart-risk markers were studied; results were mixed.

• Chili PeppersPreliminary or mixed

  Cohort studies link chili eating with lower heart-disease death; not proof of cause.

• Autumn crocus (colchicum)Documented risk

  Cardiac impairment is listed among delayed effects of colchicine overdose.

• Pueraria mirifica (kwao krua)Documented risk

  One case report of dangerous heart rhythm in a woman with a gene variant; a single case.

• AlmondsPreliminary or mixed

  Cholesterol markers only.

• WalnutsPreliminary or mixed

  Blood-fat markers only.

• PistachiosPreliminary or mixed

  Heart-related risk markers changed slightly; heart disease outcomes were not tested in the trials we read.

• CashewsPreliminary or mixed

  Blood-test results only (LDL, blood pressure), mixed.

• PecansPreliminary or mixed

  Blood-test results only.

• PeanutsPreliminary or mixed

  Large observational studies link nut intake (peanuts included) to lower heart disease; observational, so not proof.

• Mixed Nuts & Trail MixPreliminary or mixed

  Observational link between nut eating and lower heart disease; not proof.

• Green TeaPreliminary or mixed

  Cholesterol and blood pressure effects are small and from mixed tea and extract trials.

• Guayusa TeaDocumented risk

  Blood pressure and heart effects of caffeine-containing extract doses were measured in two trials.

• OatsPreliminary or mixed

  Cholesterol marker improves; heart disease outcomes not shown.

• Whole Wheat & Wheat BerriesPreliminary or mixed

  Observational whole-grain evidence for heart disease; small LDL effect in pooled trials.

• SpeltPreliminary or mixed

  Observational whole-grain evidence for heart disease; small LDL effect in pooled trials.

• Farro (Emmer)Preliminary or mixed

  Observational whole-grain evidence for heart disease; small LDL effect in pooled trials. Not farro-specific.

• Khorasan Wheat (Kamut)Preliminary or mixed

  Observational whole-grain evidence for heart disease; small LDL effect in pooled trials.

• BulgurPreliminary or mixed

  Observational whole-grain evidence for heart disease; small LDL effect in pooled trials.

• FreekehPreliminary or mixed

  Observational whole-grain evidence for heart disease; small LDL effect in pooled trials. Not freekeh-specific.

• LentilsPreliminary or mixed

  Observational studies link higher legume intake to lower coronary heart disease risk (RR 0.90) but not stroke. That is an association, not proof, and it covers legumes as a group, not Lentils alone.

• Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)Preliminary or mixed

  Observational studies link higher legume intake to lower coronary heart disease risk (RR 0.90) but not stroke. That is an association, not proof, and it covers legumes as a group, not Chickpeas alone.

• Split PeasPreliminary or mixed

  Observational studies link higher legume intake to lower coronary heart disease risk (RR 0.90) but not stroke. That is an association, not proof, and it covers legumes as a group, not Split peas alone.

• Navy BeansPreliminary or mixed

  Via the LDL result in pooled pulse trials.

• White Beans (Cannellini & Great Northern)Preliminary or mixed

  Via the LDL result in pooled pulse trials.

• Lima BeansPreliminary or mixed

  Via the LDL result in pooled pulse trials.

• Mung BeansPreliminary or mixed

  Via the LDL result in pooled pulse trials.

• Adzuki BeansPreliminary or mixed

  Via the LDL result in pooled pulse trials.

• HummusPreliminary or mixed

  Evidence is for whole pulses, not hummus.

• Fish SauceDocumented risk

  High sodium and cardiovascular disease risk (WHO).

• Extra Virgin Olive OilPreliminary or mixed

  Observational and diet-trial signals only.

• Avocado OilPreliminary or mixed

  General unsaturated-fat guidance; avocado oil not tested directly.

• Canola OilPreliminary or mixed

  Swap from saturated to unsaturated fat; heart outcomes not shown for canola alone.

• Flaxseed OilPreliminary or mixed

  Small possible benefit for events; not specific to the oil.

• Coconut Oil (as Food)Documented risk

  Through LDL; outcome trials not read.

• Sunflower OilPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials of polyunsaturated oils in place of saturated fat show fewer coronary events; not tested for sunflower oil alone.

• Safflower OilPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials of polyunsaturated oils in place of saturated fat show fewer coronary events; not specific to safflower oil.

• Soybean & Vegetable OilPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials show fewer coronary events when polyunsaturated oil replaces saturated fat.

• Corn OilPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled trials show fewer coronary events when polyunsaturated oil replaces saturated fat; one large trial did not show fewer deaths.

• Rice Bran OilPreliminary or mixed

  Lowering LDL is one heart risk factor; heart outcomes were not tested for the oil.

• Palm OilDocumented risk

  LDL cholesterol is a heart risk factor; heart events were not shown for palm oil.

• Lard & Beef TallowPreliminary or mixed

  Replacing saturated fat lowered combined heart events in trials.

• Margarine & Plant-Oil SpreadsPreliminary or mixed

  Heart events fell by 21% when saturated fat was cut in trials of at least two years.

• CoffeePreliminary or mixed

  Observational heart-disease associations; caffeine can raise blood pressure.

• Cocoa & Hot ChocolatePreliminary or mixed

  Mixed: marker improvements, supplement trial inconclusive on total events.

• Vietnamese Ginseng (Ngoc Linh)Lab or animal research only

  Majonoside R2 protected heart muscle cells in a dish; not shown in people.

• Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)Documented risk

  Sodium load; heart failure patients are asked to tell their doctor; arrhythmias reported in overdose.

• Himalayan Pink SaltDocumented risk

  High-sodium diets raise blood pressure (WHO).

• Iodized Table SaltDocumented risk

  Through blood pressure (WHO).

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