Good cholesterol is extremely important to the human body and it is produced in the liver. It is helpful in creating different hormones in the body and also helps in keeping the cells flexible. But, just like anything else, too much of anything is not good for the human body. So, having too much cholesterol or having it in the wrong places can create a lot of health issues.
Fat gets dissolved in the water and it gets flushed out of the body, but it is not the same with the cholesterol. Risk of heart problems, blood pressure, obesity, and many other problems can be seen due to high levels of cholesterol in the body.
Many people take up gym membership or try to work out at home in order to reduce cholesterol. This is definitely a good start, but exercise alone cannot do the magic that you are looking for. You need to make some changes in your diet or add some naturally healthy food that lowers your cholesterol levels.
Here is the list of 10 naturally healthy cholesterol-lowering foods.
Avocados
Are you wondering which foods that lower cholesterol naturally? Then simply add some avocados to your diet. This is a great source of monounsaturated fats, nutrients, and fiber. Fiber and monounsaturated fats can be really helpful in lowering the cholesterol levels, and hence, this is a must in your diet when you wish to reduce cholesterol levels naturally.
Legumes
Commonly called as pulses, legumes are one of the best options to reduce cholesterol levels. Alfalfa, chickpeas, beans, and lentils are the plant foods and they are called legumes. As they are low in fat and also contain high fiber, minerals, and proteins, they are considered as good cholesterol-lowering foods.
Nuts
Yet another of the foods that lower cholesterol naturally, nuts are nutrient-rich food helping in reducing cholesterol in the human body. Walnuts and almonds are considered to be the best among all the nuts. Nuts are also a good source of plant type omega 3 fatty acids and they promote heart health and also help in reducing blood pressure.
Whole grains
Among the best foods that lower cholesterol naturally, whole grains like barley and oats are the best. They have soluble fiber, minerals, and vitamins and they are excellent for reducing cholesterol. It is the beta-glucan that helps in lowering cholesterol levels in the body. By adding oats to your diet plans, high cholesterol rate can be reduced by 5 percent.
Fatty fish
Another good food for lowering cholesterol is fatty fish. You can consider eating fatty fish like salmon, tuna or mackerel as they are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. This omega 3 fatty acids will reduce the LDL cholesterol levels in the body, while HDL levels will increase hence balancing the overall cholesterol levels in the body.
Berries and fruits
What can be a better option than fruits when you are looking for foods that lower cholesterol naturally? Yes, fruits have everything that you need to maintain a healthy body. All kinds of citrus fruits and fruits like grapes, apples, strawberries have high amounts of soluble fiber and antioxidants that are good for reducing cholesterol levels.
Vegetables
Vegetables are rich in antioxidants and fiber and also contain very low calories. Add carrots, okra, and potatoes to your diet to keep the cholesterol levels at a check.
Dark chocolate
Many people avoid chocolates when they are on any kind of diet plan. But dark chocolate can be added to your diet as that will help in lowering the LDL cholesterol levels in the body and also increase the HDL levels. Your blood pressure will also be in control due to the dark chocolate and cocoa present in it. But remember, too much of anything is dangerous to health and so you need to take just a small piece of it every day.
Olive oil
Oil plays an important role in controlling cholesterol levels in the human body. You will have to make sure that you reduce the saturated fats in your diet and add unsaturated fats. That can be found in olive oil and other vegetable oils. Extra virgin olive oil is a good option in this case.
Soy foods
Soy food is considered to be the most effective natural foods that can help in reducing cholesterol levels in the body. This will increase the HDL cholesterol levels and hence will promote the reduction of bad cholesterol in the body. You can take soy in any form to see the results.
These 10 foods can be really helpful in lowering cholesterol if you add them to your daily diet and take them in the right quantities. These are the foods that lower cholesterol naturally. Add some to your diet plan right away to live a cholesterol-free and healthy life.
