Twelve Natural Foods to Lower Your Cholesterol
Photo by Brett L.
This article provides you with a handy list of twelve cholesterol-lowering natural foods. Take it with you when you shop, choose recipes with these foods and get started on your healthier life!
- Oats – Many studies have found that increasing your dietary intake of oat products lowers cholesterol due to its high soluble fiber content.
- Fatty Fish – Fish like salmon, sardines and anchovies†are all rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
- Soy – Research suggests compounds in soy foods called isoflavones work to reduce LDL cholesterol.
- Beans – No food is more fiber-rich than beans. And beans are especially high in cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber, which essentially flushes bad cholesterol out of your body.
- Avocado – Avocados are a great source of beta sitosterol, which reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed from your food.
- Garlic – Research has found that garlic helps stop artery-clogging plaque at its earliest stage (called nanoplaque) by keeping cholesterol from adhering to artery walls.
- Spinach – Spinach contains lutein and research suggests that lutein helps your artery walls evade sticky cholesterol.
- Walnuts, Cashews, and Almonds – Nuts contain vitamin E, magnesium, copper, and photochemicals that have been linked to heart health.
- Tea – Antioxidants in tea have been shown to prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which is what leads it to form on your arteries.
- Brown Rice – The oil in whole brown rice lowers cholesterol. It’s also a good source of fiber.
- Cinnamon – This has been shown to reduce triglyceride, LDL (the bad cholesterol) and the total cholesterol level.
- Apples – Apple pectin is a soluble fiber, which flushes cholesterol out of your body. It also contains flavenoids, which have been shown to prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
If you’re looking to lower your cholesterol naturally, consider putting these twelve foods at the top of your grocery list. They’re delicious, healthy, and can be easily integrated into your everyday diet.
