Urban living is not complete without burgers, fries, waffles with chocolate and fizzy drinks. Even if you do your best to avoid them, it is easy to eat these foods. It is fine to indulge in these foods once in a while. The problem comes when the temptations become overwhelming. High cholesterol is one of the most prevalent health problems people face these days. If not addressed, it can cause serious damage to your heart health. Cholesterol can be found in all cells of the body. It has many important functions, including stimulating the body’s natural functions to digest foods and produce hormones.
There are two types of cholesterol: HDL (High-Density Lipoproteins), also known as “good cholesterol”, and LDL (Low-Density Lipoproteins), also known as “bad cholesterol”. It is the LDL that transports all fat molecules through your body. This class of cholesterol can cause many health problems, especially heart disease. Bad cholesterol builds up plaque on the walls of the arteries. This makes it hard for blood to flow at its natural rate, leading to high blood pressure and, worse, stroke. Plaque buildup can be reversed. You only need to make lifestyle changes and change your diet. Certain foods and drinks can help regulate cholesterol.
Cholesterol-Managing Foods and Drinks
Lemon water: lemon is a great source of soluble fiber and acts like a sponge. It absorbs water from your digestive tract, forms a dense mass that traps bad cholesterol and LDL, and removes it from your system.
Pomegranate juice: Pomegranate liquid is rich in antioxidants. These are known to reduce the hardening of the arterial walls and even reverse the process. Antioxidants have been shown to protect the heart by lowering low-density lipoprotein (“bad”) cholesterol.
Walnuts – Walnuts contain high vitamin B, vitamin D and omega 3. Walnuts can slow down plaque growth and prevent blood clots from being eaten. Omega-3s also help to reduce the levels of triglycerides and protect the heart from abnormal rhythms.
Oats A bowl of oatmeal is a great way to lower your cholesterol. Oatmeal is rich in soluble fiber, which reduces LDL (bad cholesterol). The fiber in oatmeal can lower cholesterol absorption. These are some great oats recipes you might like.
Flaxseeds – Flaxseeds contain fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are well-known for reducing bad cholesterol and plaque buildup. “Flaxseeds, according to DK Publishing House’s book, Healing Foods, are a rich source of soluble, mucilaginous (gumlike) fiber which can help lower unhealthy cholesterol (LDL) and balance blood sugar. It acts as a hunger suppressant and makes you feel fuller for longer. The high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in these oils can lower blood fats (triglycerides), reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
To achieve your health goals, ensure you eat these foods in their original form. Before adding these foods or drinks to your daily routine, consult your doctor.
