If you have high cholesterol and want to be proactive, here are 9 drinks you might want to incorporate into your diet:
1. Green Tea Is a Powerful Antidote for High Cholesterol
It’s no secret that green tea is considered one of the healthiest beverages out there. It reduced LDL levels in both healthy people and those at risk of heart problems, and significantly reduced total cholesterol levels in participants.
Tea is a rich source of compounds called catechins and epicatechins, which are thought to be responsible for its health benefits.
A big reason green tea has such positive health effects is because these flavonoids are powerful anti-inflammatory agents. This effect can break down LDL plaque in the arteries. You can easily incorporate green tea into your diet if you don’t already drink it. However, you should drink it in moderation, not because you’re taking it as a medication. Also, limit sugar, as this can negate the health benefits of green tea.
2. Soy Milk Can Help Lower Both Good and Bad Cholesterol
Soy milk is one of the few plant-based milk alternatives on the market. Soy milk is especially beneficial if you are concerned about lowering high cholesterol. There are two specific proteins found in soybeans, glycinin and B-conglycinin, that can lower LDL cholesterol levels. When digested, soybeans absorb bad cholesterol.
Not only can soy milk lower artery-clogging cholesterol, it can also increase HDL levels. Soy milk is easy to incorporate into your diet. If you like the taste, you can drink plain, unsweetened soy milk, but be aware that flavored varieties may contain sugar that can negate the benefits. You can also substitute it with cereal, coffee, and tea.
3. Pomegranate Juice May Break Down Bad Cholesterol
You may have seen pomegranate juice in the grocery store. However, this tart and flavorful juice is more than just a tasty treat.
Like many other fruit juices, pomegranate juice is loaded with 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.
It’s important to note that pomegranates can also lower your blood pressure. If you already have low blood pressure or are taking medication to stabilize high blood pressure, you should consult your doctor before adding a glass of pomegranate juice to your diet. The same rule applies to other medications you take to maintain heart health or control cholesterol. To be safe, it’s best to confirm its safety before incorporating a pomegranate juice regimen into your life.
4. Red Wine Can Help Lower High Cholesterol
Red wine is well-known for being good for your heart health. These benefits may stem from the fermentation process. Red grapes contain a powerful antioxidant called resveratrol. This polyphenol has a number of overall health benefits, but one of the most important is that it has an anti-inflammatory effect on the arteries and can increase HDL levels in the blood.
The higher the antioxidant content, the more protection the body has from disease and inflammation. So if you occasionally drink a glass of red wine and have high cholesterol, you can rest assured that it can help support your cholesterol levels along with the other steps you take.
While red wine has health benefits, it still contains alcohol. In other words, keep drinking if you already drink, but don’t make it your first choice for lowering cholesterol.
5. Beetroot Juice May Improve High Cholesterol
Beets are rich in polyphenols, which are nutrient-dense and a valuable addition to many diets. It is these polyphenols that provide beneficial antioxidant benefits to the body. Not only do they protect the body from oxidation and reduce inflammation, but they can also lower LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL. Adding this vegetable to your diet can have huge benefits.
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.
6. Blueberry Juice May Lower Bad LDL
Blueberries are a superfruit that are prized for their antioxidant properties. Among the antioxidants are anthocyanins, which are natural anti-inflammatories that can protect you from many obesity-related 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 an antioxidant supplement found.
Blueberries also contain phytosterols, plant-based compounds that help lower cholesterol naturally through the body’s digestive process. When your body is able to digest these compounds, some of the cholesterol is broken down into waste. This can lead to lower blood lipids and improved 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 in place of orange juice in the morning to incorporate it into your daily routine, or you can consider adding it to fruit and vegetable smoothies to give you a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
7. Pineapple Juice
The main enzyme in the juice can break down cholesterol deposits. Pineapple is naturally sweet, juicy, and nutrient-dense. 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 apple 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, which can break down harmful cholesterol deposits that would otherwise build up in the arteries. Additionally, reducing inflammation helps your body metabolize lipids normally and slows the deterioration of arterial time due to oxidative damage.
8. 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 this fruit its characteristic red-orange color.
9. Oat Milk
You already know about the benefits of soy milk, but if you prefer a plant-based milk alternative, you can try oat milk. It is low in calories and contains no cholesterol or saturated fat, making it a healthy addition to your diet if you are trying to lower your LDL.
This benefit is due to the soluble fiber found in oat milk, specifically beta-glucan. This is a type of fiber that dissolves in water and becomes slower as your digestive system slows down. This process is important because soluble fiber breaks down slowly enough to keep cholesterol in your body. Because soluble fiber is digested slowly, it binds to cholesterol in the blood before it can enter the circulation. It can then be removed from the body, helping to lower LDL cholesterol.
