Cholesterol is a fat molecule that is important for the human body. It builds cell membranes, supporting the structure of cells throughout the body. Cholesterol is important for making essential hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, which are important for reproductive health.
There are two main types of cholesterol: LDL and HDL. LDL, often called “bad cholesterol” because it is associated with arterial plaque, is in contrast to HDL, which is considered “good cholesterol” because it helps remove excess cholesterol from the blood.
Balancing these types of cholesterol is important for overall health. The body’s complex regulatory mechanisms maintain cholesterol levels within a narrow range. When this balance is disrupted, especially when LDL levels are high, it can lead to atherosclerosis, a significant contributor to heart disease.
If you have high cholesterol, changing your diet can also make a big difference in lowering your cholesterol. Certain foods can help, but there are also some drinks that can lower the bad cholesterol in your blood. Some can even increase your HDL levels.
Which juices can help you control high cholesterol?
If you have high cholesterol, here are some juices that can help:
1. Pomegranate juice can break down bad cholesterol
This pomegranate juice is more than just a tasty treat. Studies have found that its antioxidant content can actually prevent plaque from building up in your arteries and even reduce existing buildup.
The antioxidants in the fruit work to break down oxidized cholesterol that builds up in your arteries. Like many other fruit juices, pomegranate juice contains antioxidants, especially polyphenols, but at much higher levels. It contains nearly three times more antioxidants than green tea or red wine and protects the heart by reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or bad cholesterol.
On the other hand, pomegranates can also lower your blood pressure, so if you already have low blood pressure or if you are taking medication to stabilize high blood pressure, you should consult your doctor before adding a cup of pomegranate juice to your diet. The same rule can apply to other medications you take to maintain heart health or control cholesterol. To be safe, it is best to confirm its safety before adding a pomegranate juice regimen to your life.
2. Beetroot Juice Can Beat High Cholesterol
Beets are delicious and sweet, and they also have many health benefits. Half a cup of cooked beets contains only about 40 calories, no fat, no cholesterol, and importantly, low in sodium. Furthermore, beets are a good source of fiber, which can also improve cholesterol levels.
Adding this vegetable to your diet can have huge benefits. Beets are rich in polyphenols, which are rich in nutrients and are a valuable addition to many diets. It is these polyphenols that provide beneficial antioxidant protection to the body. Not only do they protect the heart and reduce inflammation, but they can also lower LDL cholesterol levels while increasing HDL.
Beets also contain betanin, a natural pigment that gives the plant its deep red color. Several other studies have found that this ingredient has a significant impact on overall health, not only improving cardiovascular function but also reducing total plasma cholesterol levels.
3. Blueberry juice can lower bad LDL levels
Blueberries are a superfruit that are prized for their antioxidant content. Among those antioxidants are anthocyanins, which are natural anti-inflammatories that may protect you from a variety of serious conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Reducing inflammation can have a significant impact on cholesterol, as one study of participants with high cholesterol who took antioxidant supplements found.
Blueberries also contain phytosterols, plant-based compounds that help lower cholesterol naturally through your body’s digestion. When your body digests these compounds, some of the cholesterol is broken down into waste. That may lead to lower blood lipid levels and help improve heart health.
However, drinking blueberry juice is a much more appealing way to incorporate these important antioxidants and phytosterols into your diet than taking supplements. You can drink it instead of orange juice in the morning to incorporate into your daily routine or you can consider adding it to fruit and vegetable smoothies to energize your day with a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
4. Pineapple Juice Provides Enzymes That Can Break Down Cholesterol Deposits
Pineapples are naturally sweet, juicy, and flavorful. Popular in many forms, this fruit is a staple in everything from breakfast to dessert. However, to focus more on your cholesterol-lowering diet, you can add pineapple juice to your daily diet. This fruit is rich in the enzyme bromelain, which is known to have significant benefits for heart health, including protection against blood clots and heart disease.
Like other cholesterol-lowering ingredients, bromelain is important because it acts as an anti-inflammatory. Research has found that it can break down harmful cholesterol deposits that would otherwise cause plaque to form in the arteries. In addition to reducing inflammation, it also helps your body metabolize lipids normally and slows cardiovascular deterioration caused by oxidative damage.
5. Tomato juice contains lycopene, which can lower cholesterol
Tomato juice is a known health hero for its ability to improve cardiovascular function. This is specifically related to the presence of lycopene, the pigment that gives the fruit its characteristic red-orange color. The shape of the lycopene molecule makes it very effective at quenching free radicals, and lycopene may have specific properties that help protect cells in ways that other antioxidants may not.
This protection also includes reducing inflammation, which can help lower cholesterol. Some studies have found that it has a significant effect, with people who drank the juice at least four times a week for two months having reduced LDL levels, and it even slightly increased HDL levels.
