Imagine a food so powerful it can actually fight heart disease by helping to lower your cholesterol or blood pressure levels. Or a food that’s able to multitask by helping to keep your heart rate normal and reduce inflammation that leads to heart disease.

The plant-food world is full of these “super foods” and you’re probably familiar with some of them: olive oil, nuts and salmon. But here are a few that might surprise you:

1. Black beans. These legumes contain folate, magnesium and antioxidants that may help lower blood pressure levels. They also contain the type of fiber (soluble) that is helpful in lowering cholesterol levels. If using canned black beans, rinse thoroughly to remove the extra sodium.
2. Edamame. The fiber in these green soy beans is helpful in lowering cholesterol levels. Their protein has been shown to reduce triglyceride levels. And they also make a delicious snack when boiled.
3. Swiss chard. This vegetable (a cousin to beets) comes in a variety of stalk colors with beautiful green leaves. Swiss chard is rich in potassium and magnesium that helps control blood pressure. And it also contains lutein and zeaxanthin, two heart-healthy antioxidants. Sauté with a bit of olive oil until wilted and season with herbs and pepper for a tasty treat.
4. Plant sterols/stanols. These are plant extracts that are added to a variety of food items such as orange juice, margarine and soy milk. They’re considered “super foods” based on their ability to block the absorption of LDL cholesterol in the gut by 10 percent.
5. Carrots. Recent research shows that carrots may help to reduce your risk for diabetes (a risk factor for heart disease) and contain the same type of fiber as oats and beans (soluble) that helps to lower cholesterol levels. So keep a bag of baby carrots handy for your next snack attack.

Whether you’ve already been diagnosed with heart disease or just want to keep your heart healthy for years to come, stock up on these “super foods” the next time you go to the supermarket. They are five tasty weapons you definitely want in your heart-healthy arsenal.