American Heart Association’s “Life Is Why” Campaign | Gardening & Heart Health

Gardenuity is sponsoring the American Heart Association’s “Life Is Why” campaign to inspire people to care for their heart health through gardens, gardening, and garden harvests.

Today, Gardenuity joins the American Heart Association in supporting heart health through gardens and gardening experiences inspiring people to live healthier, longer lives. According to the latest statistics from the American Heart Association, nearly half of all adults in the U.S. (48%) have cardiovascular disease, which remains the number one cause of death in the country. Gardenuity is working with the AHA to help raise awareness on the impact of gardens, gardening experiences, garden harvest, diet, and lifestyle on heart health, including the benefits of growing and eating freshly harvested tomatoes.

For every tomato garden sold through May 2024, Gardenuity will donate $5 to the AHA Life is Why Campaign. The Gardenuity leadership team and entire organization is excited to help bring the benefits of gardening to the 100-year celebration of life through the Life is Why campaign at the American Heart Association.

Gardening has become one of the most popular hobbies in America, with 55% of American households actively gardening and over 185 million people are now enjoying the benefits of gardening. Corporations across the country are providing gardening experiences for their employees as part of their wellness benefit offerings. Gardenuity is proud to be the leader in gardening for wellness both with consumers and corporations.

One way to improve your cardiovascular health is to plant, grow, and harvest from your own patio garden. Tomatoes and fresh herbs have no added sugar, are hydrating, and are a widely recognized and consumed fruit renowned for their numerous health benefits, particularly for heart health.

Tomatoes are an excellent source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been extensively studied for its potential in reducing the risk of heart disease. Lycopene has been shown to significantly lower levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, commonly referred to as “bad” cholesterol, in the blood. This is important as high levels of LDL cholesterol are a major risk factor for heart disease. Additionally, lycopene has been found to reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which is another crucial factor in the development of heart disease.

In addition to lycopene, tomatoes are also a good source of other heart-healthy nutrients such as potassium, vitamin C, and fiber. Potassium helps to regulate blood pressure and heart function, while vitamin C is an important antioxidant that can protect the heart from damage. The fiber content in tomatoes also plays a role in promoting heart health by reducing levels of cholesterol in the blood.

“We’re thrilled to support the American Heart Association’s Life is Why program to inspire our corporate partners and consumers to care for their heart health through simple, accessible gardening experiences,” said Doug Platts, COO Gardenuity. “At Gardenuity, we believe planting, growing, and harvesting patio gardens is an easy way to love your heart and care for your overall health and wellbeing.” Donna Letier, co-founder and CEO.

Every Homegrown Garden, spring Taco Toppings, and Salad Garden that include a Tomato plant and fully rooted seasonal herbs are part of the Gardenuity, Life is Why sponsorship. “We continue to be inspired by the countless stories shared by team members, corporate clients, and customers about their journey to heart health,” said Donna Letier. “The importance of giving to raise funds for the American Heart Association’s critical research and programs is greater than ever.”

Together, we’re helping millions of Americans understand the connection between planting, growing, harvesting, and health.