The drinks on this list have properties that lower the level of “bad” cholesterol. This is good news because LDL cholesterol increases the risk of coronary heart diseases. Excess cholesterol may result in heart failure and stroke.
A healthy adult shouldn’t have more than 115 mg / dl of blood cholesterol. If your tests results have shown a red light, you may prepare these healthy drinks to improve your test results next time.
- The level of “bad” cholesterol is largely related to a poor diet.
- Consuming certain types of drink may contribute to lowering the level of sugar and, of course, cholesterol.
- LDL cholesterol drastically increases the risk of cardiovascular illnesses.
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a very important organic chemical (steroid) that the body needs to function properly. Cholesterol is delivered to cells and tissues with food, but it is also produced spontaneously in the body.
Cholesterol plays several important functions in the human body, so you should take care of its proper level. Itl is involved in the formation of vitamin D3 as well as steroid hormones. The correct level of cholesterol also helps to maintain an appropriate level of immunity. Most of the cholesterol is produced in the liver and the intestinal wall.
What is Total Cholesterol?
Total cholesterol creates self-produced cholesterol and cholesterol supplied with food.
Total cholesterol can therefore be divided into two types:
- LDL cholesterol – bad cholesterol.
- HDL cholesterol – good cholesterol.
Bad cholesterol enters our body, it travels through it, going to tissues and veins. Its excess can accumulate on the walls of thin veins and arteries, creating blockages. Too high accumulation of LDL cholesterol leads to the development of heart disease and problems related to the cardiovascular system.
The task of good cholesterol is to “sweep” LDL fraction from inside the veins, as well as taking care of the proper functioning of many tissues and organs. That is why it is so important to balance and maintain proper proportions between these two fractions.
Acceptable Levels of Total Cholesterol
The norm of total cholesterol depends on several factors, so it is important that the result is seen by a specialist after the examination. Different norms will apply to young people and chronically ill people to others.
The value up to 190 mg / dl was adopted as the correct norm of total cholesterol for a healthy person. LDL cholesterol is up to 115 mg / dL. HDL cholesterol should be over 40 mg / dL in men and over 45 mg / dL in women. For people who suffer from diabetes, have kidney problems, or struggle with heart problems, the LDL fraction is lower.
If a patient is detected with elevated cholesterol, the person should be tested regularly. Cholesterol testing is recommended at least once a year.
How is Cholesterol Tested?
The examination is simple and painless. It consists in drawing blood from a vein in the arm. Cholesterol testing is performed on an empty stomach, therefore the patient should not eat any food before blood sampling (even 16 hours earlier).
It is not recommended to consume high-fat products and alcoholic beverages a few days before the test.
Cholesterol test results are usually available to the patient within 24 hours.
High Cholesterol – Symptoms and Risk Factors
In the case of elevated levels of “bad” cholesterol, symptoms such as fatigue even with minimal physical activity and frequent leg pain are possible.
Factors contributing to elevated LDL cholesterol include obesity (BMI over 30). A diet high in unhealthy fats, smoking, wide waistlines (over 94 cm in men and 80 cm in women), diabetes, and lack of physical activity.
Eating a healthy diet can help lower cholesterol, and supplementing your menu with some drinks. What to drink to lower cholesterol?
Green Tea for Cholesterol
Catechins and other antioxidant compounds found in green tea help to lower LDL cholesterol. This was confirmed by a 2015 study conducted on rats.
Rodents received drinking water containing catechins and epigallocatechin gallate. After 57 days, the cholesterol level in rats in two groups decreased by 14.4 and 30.4 percent.
Soy Drink for Cholesterol
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends consuming 25 grams of soy protein per day for people on a cholesterol-lowering diet. This is to reduce their risk of developing heart disease.
Due to the low content of saturated fat in soy beverages, they are a healthier alternative to cream added to coffee. Such a substitute may contribute to better test results in patients with too high cholesterol levels.
Oat Drink for Cholesterol
Research conducted in 2018 shows that oat drinks (e.g. milk) contribute to lowering cholesterol. It turns out that the liquid form is more effective in this respect than solid products such as oat flakes or bran. The key here, however, is the presence of beta-glucans in the drink. The positive effects of drinking oat drinks can be felt when you consume about 3 g of beta-glucans a day.
Tomato Juice for Cholesterol
A 2015 study found that 25 women who drank 280 ml of tomato juice every day for two months had a reduction in blood cholesterol levels. The experiment was attended by women aged 20-30, with a BMI of at least 20. Tomato juice is rich in lycopene, niacin and fiber, and they are responsible for its beneficial effect in the context of “bad” cholesterol.
Cocoa for Cholesterol
Beverages containing cocoa not only lower LDL cholesterol but also increase HDL, so they work in two ways for health. According to a 2015 study, it was enough to drink 450 ml of a drink containing cocoa for a month to see positive effects.
Cocoa beans contain beneficial flavonoids and monounsaturated fatty acids. However, if the goal is to lower cholesterol and improve your diet, it is better to go for unprocessed cocoa rather than powdered chocolate – this one is high in saturated fatty acids.