Dark chocolate is one of many foods that have been shown to lower cholesterol in clinical trials. But, that doesn't mean you should eat it with every meal. Eating dark chocolate should be part of a change toward a healthier lifestyle if you're serious about lowering your cholesterol.
Chocolate is full of flavonoids, which are antioxidants that help lower cholesterol. It also has oleic acid, the same type of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat found in olive oil. To improve your cholesterol, just have a little nibble—up to 1 ounce of dark chocolate a day.
It is one of only two studies finding that people eating 100g of dark or high-flavanol chocolate daily for two weeks had lower LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol) than when people ate white or low-flavanol chocolate. In another four studies there was no cholesterol lowering.
Simply put, dark chocolate increases your HDL cholesterol and decreases your LDL cholesterol. While it does contain some saturated fat, it also contains the same sort of unsaturated fat found in olive oil.
Ice Cream
This one might sting a little, but ice cream isn't the best snack choice for those with high cholesterol. One scoop of every kid's favorite frozen treat has more fat than a hamburger and more cholesterol than 10 glazed doughnuts, EverydayHealth.com says.
Dairy. Products like ice cream, sour cream, cream cheese — almost anything made from milk — are high in cholesterol. Several studies have shown that the fat found in dairy can raise your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol level, so avoid eating these products on a regular basis.
Individually, both honey and cinnamon may lower risks of developing heart disease. Honey has been shown to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by 6%, triglyceride levels by 11%, and potentially boost HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Cinnamon, in turn, has been shown to reduce total cholesterol levels.
While coffee does not contain cholesterol, it can affect cholesterol levels. The diterpenes in coffee suppress the body's production of substances involved in cholesterol breakdown, causing cholesterol to increase. Specifically, coffee diterpenes may cause an increase in total cholesterol and LDL levels.
Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods
Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears. Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your LDL cholesterol.
REALITY. You don't have to cut cheese out of your diet, but if you have high cholesterol or blood pressure, use high-fat cheeses sparingly. A 30g portion of cheese provides seven per cent of your daily calories and there can be more salt in a portion of cheddar than in a packet of crisps.
The fiber and potassium in bananas can reduce the level of cholesterol and blood pressure. Banana is especially known as a good source of soluble fibre which will gives one a healthy body and good immune system. Grapes get into the bloodstream and carry all the bad cholesterol into the liver where it gets processed.
Thanks to their naturally high vitamin C levels, lemons are also beneficial in helping to lower blood cholesterol levels. Mixing the juice of two to three lemons in water each day can be enough to lower your low-density lipoprotein (also known as 'bad' cholesterol) and lower the risk of heart disease.
Both green and black tea can help lower cholesterol levels. Green tea is prepared from unfermented leaves and black tea from fully fermented leaves of the same plant. Researchers believe that catechins, a type of antioxidant found in tea, are responsible for its cholesterol-lowering effect.
Heart Health
Greek yogurt has been connected to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which can reduce your risk of heart disease. Cholesterol and triglycerides can harden or block your arteries over time, leading to heart disease or atherosclerosis.
One large egg has about 186 mg of cholesterol — all of which is found in the yolk. If your diet contains little other cholesterol, according to some studies, eating up to an egg a day might be an OK choice. If you like eggs but don't want the cholesterol, use only the egg whites.
Pasta can be bad for cholesterol, as can other refined carbohydrates such as white bread and white rice. Pasta doesn't contain cholesterol, but it is high in carbohydrates. Some types of carbohydrates can affect cholesterol levels, so it's important to eat the right kind of pasta along with healthier sauces and sides.
The lowdown. A diet high in salt can cause bloating, high blood pressure, and dehydration. Although salt consumption does not affect cholesterol levels, eating foods containing high salt levels can increase your risk of developing heart disease, stomach cancer, and stroke.
Smoking and tobacco use: Smoking lowers your “good cholesterol” (HDL) and raises your “bad cholesterol” (LDL). Being under a lot of stress: Stress triggers hormonal changes that cause your body to produce cholesterol. Drinking alcohol: Too much alcohol in your body can raise your total cholesterol.
According to a new study published in the International Journal of Obesity, drinking milk does not have any substantial impact on cholesterol levels. After an elaborate study, it was concluded that drinking dairy can actually help to lower the levels of both good and bad cholesterol.
Apples are the best fruit to lower cholesterol.
For example, oats can help because of their high fiber content, while certain fish can aid in lowering cholesterol because of their omega-3 levels. So what is it about apples specifically that makes them the best cholesterol-lowering fruit?