Avocados. Avocados are a good source of nutrients as well as monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). Research suggests that the fiber from avocados can improve HDL cholesterol levels and the quality of LDL cholesterol. Adding two servings of avocado per week to a heart-healthy diet can lower your risk of heart disease.
A study from 2018 noted that, while eating avocados did not lower LDL cholesterol or fat levels, eating them did raise HDL cholesterol levels. This means that eating avocados as part of a balanced diet with less animal fat may positively impact HDL cholesterol levels. No one food makes a diet healthy or unhealthy.
After five weeks on the avocado diet, participants had significantly lower levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol than before the study began or after completing the low- and moderate-fat diets. Participants also had higher levels of lutein, an antioxidant, after the avocado diet.
The worst foods for high cholesterol, given their high saturated fat content, include: Red meat, like beef, pork, and lamb, as well as processed meats like sausage. Full-fat dairy, like cream, whole milk, and butter. Baked goods and sweets.
In 7 studies, avocado intake significantly increased HDL cholesterol (summary net change: 2.84 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.18, 5.49 mg/dL), with significant heterogeneity. This remained consistent in sensitivity and subgroup analyses.
And avocado—the fatty, creamy fruit that makes a perfect salad or sandwich topping—is a potent HDL-boosting fat.
“This is positive because eating extra calories from avocados doesn't impact body weight or abdominal fat, and it slightly decreases total and LDL-cholesterol.” They also found that daily avocados resulted in total cholesterol decreasing 2.9 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and LDL cholesterol decreasing 2.5 mg/dL.
Chicken eggs are an affordable source of protein and other nutrients. They're also naturally high in cholesterol. But the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to raise cholesterol levels the way some other foods, such as those high in trans fats and saturated fats, do.
Heart Health
Greek yogurt has been connected to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which can reduce your risk of heart disease. Cholesterol and triglycerides can harden or block your arteries over time, leading to heart disease or atherosclerosis.
Therefore, eating avocado daily is the perfect addition to a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet; unless you're allergic to it, of course.
Eating an avocado a day is good for your health. Avocado consumption has skyrocketed in the last two decades, from an average annual consumption of 1.5 pounds per person in 1998, to 7.5 pounds in 2017.
While coffee does not contain cholesterol, it can affect cholesterol levels. The diterpenes in coffee suppress the body's production of substances involved in cholesterol breakdown, causing cholesterol to increase. Specifically, coffee diterpenes may cause an increase in total cholesterol and LDL levels.
This is why it is important to eat foods to help lower your cholesterol, such as those high in soluble fiber. Fruits like avocados and apples, and citrus fruits like oranges and bananas are foods that can help lower cholesterol.
Chicken has less saturated fat and dietary cholesterol than pork, beef, and lamb. For example, you get only about 90-100 mg of cholesterol from eating a small grilled, skinless chicken. It is a decent amount for consumption since doctors recommend no more than 300 mg of dietary cholesterol per day.
Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods
Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears. Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your LDL cholesterol.
While rice does not contain any cholesterol in it, eating too much rice has been known to have an effect on the body by increasing cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
An intake of the half to one clove of garlic per day lowers cholesterol levels approximately 10%. [23,24] Mechanisms that explain the observed effects of garlic include a decrease in cholesterol absorption, cholesterol, and fatty acid synthesis.
Research shows that exercising at least three times a week lowers cholesterol and prevents heart disease. If your cholesterol numbers aren't where they ought to be, working out should be a key part of your get-healthy strategy.
In human studies, consuming up to two to three medium-sized apples resulted in a decrease in total cholesterol levels between 5% and 13%. LDL cholesterol levels were lowered by at least 7% in some studies, and HDL levels were increased by up to 12%.
Taken together, honey was found to improve lipid outcomes by reducing total cholesterol, LDL-C, and fasting triglyceride levels and increasing HDL-C levels.