Tomatoes are a significant source of a plant compound called lycopene, which reduces levels of LDL cholesterol. Research shows that the body absorbs more lycopene if the tomatoes are processed or cooked, so drink tomato juice and add tomatoes to your minestrone soup as well.
The Link Between Tomatoes and Low Cholesterol
As if that wasn't astounding enough, a pronounced reduction in LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, and a slight increase in HDL, or "good" cholesterol, occurred in the tomato juice-drinking group.
Quick and fun nutrition facts
Tomatoes are heart-healthy: A tomato has 0 grams of cholesterol and contains extremely small amounts of fat. Tomatoes are nutrient-rich: A tomato's vitamin C content increases as the fruit ripens.
Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods
Oatmeal has soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears.
Potatoes are cholesterol-free and have zero saturated fat
Consuming foods that are low in cholesterol and saturated fat help reduce risk of suffering from heart diseases to some extent. So if you have a heart problem, adding some slices of boiled potatoes as a side can help in giving your heart the much needed TLC.
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.
A recent study indicates that in addition to promoting good eye health, carrots may help to reduce blood cholesterol and, thus, reduce the incidence of plaque in arteries.
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.
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.
Pears and apples have a lot of pectin, which is a type of fiber that can lower cholesterol. So do citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. Berries are also high in fiber.
Our own trial also showed that Weet-Bix™ Cholesterol Lowering effectively lowered LDL cholesterol by up to 9% within 4 weeks. Overall, the study supported Weet-Bix™ Cholesterol Lowering as being an effective, easy and nutritious food for people who need to manage their cholesterol.
Chicken eggs are an affordable source of protein and other nutrients. They're also naturally high in cholesterol. But the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to raise cholesterol levels the way some other foods, such as those high in trans fats and saturated fats, do.
Cheese is high in cholesterol, but, according to the USDA Dietary Guidelines from 2015 , there is no clear link between the cholesterol-rich foods that a person eats and their blood cholesterol levels. Instead, it is the saturated fat in cheese that is responsible for raising cholesterol levels.
While rice does not contain any cholesterol in it, eating too much rice has been known to have an effect on the body by increasing cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
The truth is, chicken by nature has lower cholesterol than any other cut, and lower fat than most cuts. The part of the chicken used for cooking and the method of preparation will determine its cholesterol raising effects. The breast of a chicken has the least cholesterol, followed by the thighs, wings, and legs.
Keep cheese portions small and weigh them to reduce temptation. Using lower-fat cheeses – such as mozzarella, feta, cottage cheese or reduced-fat cheeses – will provide less saturated fat.