Did you know the foods you eat can boost your nitric oxide levels?

Nitric oxide is created by the cells in the human body. It is one of the most important molecules for blood vessel health and heart health.

It works as a vasodilator, meaning it dilates and relaxes blood vessels. As a result, blood flow increases and blood pressure decreases making it cardioprotective.

There are many key compounds that the body can use to make nitric oxide. These compounds include the amino acids L-arginine and L-citrulline. Additionally, there are key compounds needed to preserve the breakdown of nitric oxide in the body such as vitamin C and coenzyme Q10.

Here are 10 Paleo recipes featuring meat, vegetables, nuts and fruit. Enjoy!

1. Roasted Beets and Carrots with Rosemary Garlic Butter By: Paleo OMG

Beets are one of the best sources of dietary nitrates and get converted to nitric oxide in the body. Beets are associated with improved heart function, increased blood flow and reduced blood pressure levels. Beets are one of the best foods to eat for your heart beat.

2. Sautéed Greens with Toasted Spices By: Mikaela Rueben

Leafy greens such as arugula, swiss chard or kale are a rich source of dietary nitrates. These dietary nitrates get converted into nitric oxide in the body. Eating foods rich in nitrates regularly can help to optimize nitric oxide levels in the body.

3. Roasted Garlic Dressing By: Happy Kitchen Rocks

Garlic activates a key enzyme, nitric oxide synthase, which boosts the conversion of arginine to nitric oxide in the body. Garlic can also increase the bioavailability of nitric oxide for the body.

4. Liver Bacon Meatballs By: The Nourished Caveman

Grass-fed meat, especially organ meat, is rich in the nutrient coenzymeQ10. Liver is one of the highest sources of CoQ10. CoQ10 is a key molecule needed to preserve nitric oxide in the body.

5. Kohlrabi Slaw with Cilantro, Jalapeno and Lime By: Feasting at Homme

Both kohlrabi and citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C increases nitric oxide concentrations due to its ability to increase its availability and absorption in the body.

6. Maple Balsamic-Glazed Scallops with Pomegranate By: Cotter Crunch

Pomegranates are loaded with antioxidants that can prevent the unwanted breakdown of nitric oxide in the body. These polyphenols aid in converting dietary nitrite into nitric oxide.  The compounds in pomegranates have also been found to increase levels of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase. Additionally, the antioxidants in pomegranate lower inflammation and reduce oxidative stress, which protects the heart.

7. Maca Chocolate Smoothie By: Mikaela Rueben

The raw cacao bean (where you get dark chocolate from) is loaded with antioxidants that can increase nitric oxide and conserve it in the body. It can also lower blood pressure and eliminate markers of inflammation.

8. Thai Watermelon Salad By: Every Last Bite

Watermelon contains a high amount of the amino acid, L-citrulline, which gets converted to L-arginine in the body and ultimately to nitric oxide. The L-citrulline in the body is easily absorbed and helps to produce quality nitric oxide.

9. Walnut Banana Bread By: Food Republic

Nuts, especially walnuts, are especially high in the amino acid L-arginine. Other nuts are also good sources of arginine. Again, this gets converted to nitric oxide in the body, which aids in vasodilation and relaxation of blood vessels.

10. Vanilla Pumpkin Seed Clusters By: Wallflower Kitchen

Pumpkin seeds have one of the highest concentrations of the amino acid arginine. L-arginine is an amino acid involved in the production of nitric oxide. Eating foods rich in arginine can help to increase nitric oxide levels in your body.