Green tea
After 56 days, scientists noticed cholesterol and “bad” LDL levels had reduced by around 14.4% and 30.4% in the two groups of rats on high-cholesterol diets.
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.
The Bottom Line. Green tea is packed full of health-promoting compounds. Regularly drinking green tea can help you lose weight and reduce your risk of several diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Drinking three to five cups of green tea per day seems to be optimal to reap the most health benefits.
Green tea consumption significantly lowered the TC concentration by 7.20 mg/dL (95% CI: -8.19, -6.21 mg/dL; P < 0.001) and significantly lowered the LDL-cholesterol concentration by 2.19 mg/dL (95% CI: -3.16, -1.21 mg/dL; P < 0.001). The mean change in blood HDL-cholesterol concentration was not significant.
Matcha Green Tea and White Teas have the most antioxidants of any "true tea," while Hibiscus has the most antioxidants of any well-known Herbal Tea to lower cholesterol.
Fill Up on Fiber
Foods like oatmeal, apples, prunes, and beans are high in soluble fiber, which keeps your body from absorbing cholesterol. Research shows that people who ate 5 to 10 more grams of it each day saw a drop in their LDL. Eating more fiber also makes you feel full, so you won't crave snacks as much.
Cholesterol Considerations
Unfiltered coffee—boiled or espresso—can slightly elevate cholesterol levels, making it a bad bet if your cholesterol is already high. Green and black teas, however, may actually lower cholesterol. This makes them a safe bet for most older adults.
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.
One animal study found that green and black tea were equally effective at preventing blood vessel plaque formation by 26% at the lowest dose and up to 68% at the highest dose ( 4 ). The study also found that both types of tea helped reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides ( 4 ).
Lemon Juice and Cholesterol Levels
According to the latest research, lemon juice may help lower cholesterol levels and improve cardiovascular health. These benefits are largely due to the high levels of flavonoids and vitamin C found in the juice.
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.
Excessive drinking of green tea can cause stomach problems, diarrhoea and can even cause iron deficiency. You may also experience insomnia. Hence, drink it in limit as excess of green tea can prove detrimental to your health.
The best time to drink green tea for brain health is in the morning or early afternoon 1 to 2 hours after meals. As lack of sleep can cause increase anxiety and restlessness, it is best to drink this tea in the morning or early afternoon so that you do not interrupt your sleep routine.
People with peptic ulcers or acid reflux should not consume green tea excessively. A 1984 study concluded that tea is a potent stimulant of gastric acid, which can be reduced by adding milk and sugar. 2.
Reduce Risk of 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.
There is no set period in which cholesterol is guaranteed to drop. Cholesterol-lowering drugs usually produce a change in LDL within 6 to 8 weeks. It is possible for lifestyle changes to change cholesterol levels within weeks. However, it may take longer, usually about 3 months — sometimes more.
The best dairy milk for people with high cholesterol is fat-free or skim milk. Plant-based milks, such as soy milk, almond milk, or oat milk, are cholesterol-free alternatives to cow's milk.
Tisch Center for Women's Health at the NYU Langone Medical Center, says it can take between three to six months to see lower LDL numbers through just diet and exercise, noting that it takes longer to see changes in women than men. Read on for more information on how to lower your LDL levels.
Hawthorn fruit is beneficial to the cardiovascular system, partially due to its effect on serum cholesterol. Previous reports showed that hawthorn decreased serum total cholesterol (TC),3 LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) in hyperlipidemic humans (5,8).