6 Drinks to Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels: A Guide

Many people fear high cholesterol levels because they pose a great danger to the body, greatly increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Most of the cholesterol in our bodies is low-density lipoprotein, also called “bad cholesterol.” High levels of LDL have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, known as the “good cholesterol,” helps reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Diet plays an important role in managing cholesterol, just as it does with diabetes.

Here are 6 drinks that one can drink to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, according to a report published by the specialized medical website “onlymyhealth”.

1 – coffee

Coffee is a beverage that has a great combination of delicious flavor, aroma, and health benefits. Among the other benefits of coffee is lowering cholesterol levels.

2 – oatmeal drinks

You can also drink oatmeal-based drinks to lower cholesterol levels. Oats are rich in beta-glucan, which mixes with bile salts to form a gel-like substance in the stomach, which may prevent the body from absorbing cholesterol and lower blood cholesterol levels. But while choosing the right oats for your winter drink, check the label to see if they contain beta-glucans.

3 – green and black tea

Green tea contains catechins and other antioxidants that can reduce levels of harmful or low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol to a lesser extent. Black tea can also help lower cholesterol levels. This is primarily due to how different the body absorbs fluids depending on the catechin content of the tea.

4 – soy milk

You can also drink soy milk instead of cream or other high-fat dairy products to help lower or control cholesterol levels.

To reduce the risk of heart disease, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends consuming 25 grams of soy protein per day as a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. In addition, it is preferable to eat unprocessed or minimally processed soybeans with little or no added sugars, salts, or fats.

5- Juices rich in antioxidants

Drinking juices, especially those made from berries, also helps in lowering cholesterol levels because they are rich in antioxidants and fiber that help lower blood cholesterol levels. For example, the powerful antioxidant anthocyanins in berries can lower cholesterol levels. Berries contain a minimum of calories and fat. You can blend two handfuls of berries to make a smoothie.

Apart from berries, you can also consume juices made from plant milks. Components in plant-based milk have the potential to reduce or control cholesterol levels. You can use soy or oat milk to make a good smoothie.

6- Tomato juice

Lycopene, which is abundant in tomatoes, can lower bad cholesterol and raise lipid levels. Niacin and cholesterol-lowering fiber are also abundant in tomato juice. Moreover, research indicates that tomato juices increase the lycopene content of the fruit.

What you should beware of

It is also important to know what to avoid in order to maintain good cholesterol levels. Coffee or tea with added cream, high-fat dairy products, drinks containing coconut or palm oils, and drinks containing ice cream are some of the drinks high in saturated fats that should be avoided by people who want to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

Sweetened drinks such as fruit juices, energy drinks and hot chocolate should also be avoided.