Important Foods That Reduce Cholesterol

Cholesterol is traditionally said to be bad for our health. Cholesterol contains- LDL(Low-density lipoprotein),the bad cholesterol and HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein). LDL,the good one for our health. So if we want to retain good health, we need to manage the optimum cholesterol level. Let us discuss on important Foods that can reduce Cholesterol level in our body.

Sometimes you may be unaware of consuming foods with high level of bad cholesterol. By changing food habit you can lower your cholesterol level effectively.

To reduce the cholesterol level, you may either take foods that lower cholesterol or avoid meals that increase your cholesterol level. For lowering cholesterol, different foods work differently.

Some food release soluble fiber that binds cholesterol and its precursors in the digestive system and get them out of the body before they get into circulation.

Some food,however produce polyunsaturated fats that directly lower LDL by blocking the body to absorb cholesterol. Likewise some foods contain plant sterols and stanols, that block the body from absorbing cholesterol.

There are some wonder foods that help you to reduce the cholesterol level.

Oats: If you want to reduce your cholesterol level quickly, starts eating oats. Oats lower cholesterol by producing soluble fiber named beta-glucan which absorbs LDL. One bowl of oatmeal produces 1 to 2 grams of soluble fiber. And by adding banana or strawberry to oats, you can increase the amount of soluble fiber. The recent research reveals that a human needs daily 20 to 35 grams of fiber, of which at least 10 to 15 grams should be soluble fiber.

Barley and other whole grains: Like oats and oat bran, barley also contains beta-gulcan soluble fiber that reduces cholesterol level. Whole grain and Barley also help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Beans: Beans are rich in soluble fiber. You may try navy and kidney beans to lentils, garbanzos, black-eyed peas, and beyond. As they take the time to digest, beans are also a popular food for weight loss.

Eggplant and okra: They are the best foods that reduce cholesterol. These are good sources of soluble fiber. These two low-calorie vegetables are also used in weight -loss program as the veggies contain low -calories.

Apples, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits: Apple, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits like orange, lime, lemon, tangor, Buddha’s hand, Citron, Clementine, Grapefruit, Mandarin orange, etc. fruits are rich in pectin, a type of soluble fiber that lowers LDL.

Fiber supplements: Fiber supplements are one of the best way to get soluble fiber. Two teaspoons of psyllium in a day can give you 4 grams of soluble fiber. Psyllium can be found in Metamucil and other bulk-forming laxatives. But before considering this, you should consult with your doctor.

Nuts: Researchers found that different nuts like almonds, walnuts, peanuts, help to reduce cholesterol level. As a result, the nuts are good for heart disease. Studies reveal that consuming 30 to 35-gram nuts (a handful) every day can lower the cholesterol level by an average of 5%.

Vegetable oils: This is another magic food that reduces cholesterol. Use Vegetable oils like canola, sunflower, safflower, soybean oil, olive oil, etc. instead of butter, Ghee or lard.

Soya: Taking soybeans and foods made from soya bean, like tofu and soy milk helps to reduce cholesterol. Eating 25 grams of soy protein a day (10 ounces of tofu or 2 1/2 cups of soy milk) can lower LDL by 5% to 6%.

Red Wine: Research has shown that drinking red wine can reduce cholesterol. Red wine is produced from the grape that contains high-fiber varietals like Tempranillo and Rioja. Both Tempranillo and Rioja remarkably lower the cholesterol level. The research done by the Department of Metabolism and Nutrition at Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Spain shows that when a person took the same grape supplement found in red wine, their LDL levels decreased by 9%. The study also presents that the people who have higher cholesterol level can reduce the LDL 12% by drinking a glass of red wine.

Tea: Tea is a popular drink for fighting against cancer. Tea is rich in antioxidants that fight against cancer. Researchers of USDA postulates that tea is helpful for coronary heart disease as the black tea reduce the lipids up to 10% in 3 weeks. Tea also decreases cholesterol level.

Salmon, Sardines and other fatty fishes: Research done by Loma Linda University found that fatty fishes like Salmon, sardines, herring, contain Omega-3 fatty acid that can produce good cholesterol as much as 4%. Omega -3 also reduces LDL and triglycerides in the bloodstream. It also protects the heart by preventing the onset of abnormal heart rhythms.

Garlic: Garlic also decreases the level of cholesterol. It prevents blood clot, blood pressure, and fights against infection. Studies found that garlic helps to stop artery-clogging plaque at the early stages by keeping cholesterol particles from sticking to artery walls. It is suggested to take 2 to 4 fresh cloves a day.

Avocado: Avocado contains heart -healthy MUFAs that helps to raise HDL cholesterol while helps to reduce LDL cholesterol.

Foods fortified with Sterols and Stanols: The foods that are fortified with sterols and stanols can lower the level of cholesterol. The sterols and stanols block the body to absorb Cholesterol. These substances can be extracted from plant gums and should be taken according to the body needs. Plant sterols and stanols can be naturally found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Juice and drink companies are adding the substance to their drink. You can take supplement also. Research shows that consuming 5-2.4g plant sterols or stanols every day reduces cholesterol by 7-10% over 2-3 weeks.

Margarine: Margarine, Yogurt and milk products enriched with plant sterols help to reduce cholesterol. Margarine is rich with natural sterols named phytosterols that can reduce cholesterol level. Margarine can lower cholesterol up to 10% if regularly taken for three weeks or more.

Finally, it can be said that anyone who wants to lower her cholesterol should take foods that reduce cholesterol. As a result, they will be able to control the cholesterol level naturally.

Kaushik Adhikary is a freelance writer and love to write articles on human nutrition for living a healthy life.

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