Foods that Can Help Lower Your Cholesterol
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 1 out of 3 Americans has high cholesterol. High cholesterol can be hereditary, but it can also be largely caused by diet and lifestyle choices, such as smoking. Here are some foods that can potentially help lower cholesterol levels, which is beneficial whether you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol or not, as it will also reduce the amount of plaque buildup in the arteries.
Beans
Beans are a great source of soluble fiber, which binds with cholesterol to pull it out of the blood.
Unsaturated fats (olive oil and flaxseed oil)
This is the best type of fat to directly lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and boost HDL (good cholesterol), according to the American Heart Association.
Oats
Oats are another great source of soluble fiber.
Lemons, oranges and apples
– These fruits contain high levels of pectin (a gummy, binding, hard-to-digest carbohydrate found in the cell walls and skin of these fruits). They may actually help lower cholesterol by 7-10%.
Nuts
Nuts are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and proven beneficial for heart health.
Sterols and stanols
These are plant-based compounds that occur naturally in small amounts in many grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds.) They block the body’s ability to absorb cholesterol.