Juicing To Reduce Cholesterol

Did you know that over 90 million American adults are plagued by total cholesterol levels above 200? With high cholesterol, the risk of stroke and heart ailments is also increased. Staying fit and active, curbing intake of dietary saturated fat, giving up smoking, and limiting alcoholic beverages are some of the few measures that can be taken.

Juices are also trending at present, with juice shops popping up everywhere. But it’s too costly and impractical to visit the local juice shop every day to get your daily dose of cholesterol-reducing ingredients. In this article, we will highlight some of the humble options available to help reduce your cholesterol levels.

1. GREEN TEA: THE TOP CHOICE FOR LOWERING CHOLESTEROL

Teas have long been cherished for their healing properties. With science delving deeper, it is proven that green tea is one of the most effective ingredients for reducing cholesterol. Green tea is loaded with amazing antioxidants like catechins.

Another significant factor about green tea is that it doesn’t undergo extensive processing. This is the reason why antioxidants are preserved. A number of studies suggest that catechins are effective in lowering LDL cholesterol along with regulating blood pressure. Apart from green tea, you can also invest in hibiscus tea which is noted for its antioxidant content and impact in reducing free radical damage.

2. OAT MILK

Oat milk is filled with high levels of dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber like beta-glucan. It gets dissolved in water and creates a gel-like substance. It functions by reducing blood sugar levels as well as glucose levels in the body. Besides oats, soluble fiber is found in beans, barley, apples, and psyllium. By taking a diet rich in fiber, you can also bring down the risk of obesity, blood sugar, heart ailments, and of course, cholesterol levels.

Like soy milk, oat milk contains very little saturated fat. As a result, it’s a fascinating replacement for full-fat dairy items. You can make coffee beverages, smoothies, and baked goods with various kinds of cereal or consume oat milk on its own. It is also an excellent alternative for people having soy, dairy, or nut allergies.

3. INCLUDE POMEGRANATE JUICE IN A REGULAR DIET

Compared to other fruit juices, the amount of antioxidants in pomegranate is much higher. Pomegranate contains about three times more antioxidants than red wine and green tea. It not only helps bring down LDL levels but also reduces damage to the blood vessels and prevents the hardening of arteries.

A study reported that the consumption of concentrated pomegranate juice brought down the total cholesterol levels in patients with type II diabetes. To ensure the maximum benefits of pomegranate juice, you must drink it pure without any additional sugar content. The added sugar will increase the calorie content and reduce the effectiveness.

4. TOMATO JUICE

Tomato is high in lycopene content, a strong antioxidant responsible for protecting against free radical damage. With the dietary intake of antioxidants, several inflammatory ailments such as stroke, cancer, cardiovascular ailments, Alzheimer’s, and many others can be mitigated.

A study published by the Cambridge University Press revealed that consuming 400 ml of tomato juice regularly brings down cholesterol levels by 12.9 percent as compared to those who don’t take tomato juice. To reap the health benefits of cholesterol-lowering effects of tomato juice by having tomato basil soup, low-sodium tomato juice, virgin bloody Mary, and various others.

5. GRAPE JUICE

If you wish to cut down alcohol content but incorporate the cholesterol-lowering benefits of wine, the best alternative awaiting you is grape juice. Grape juice has a good amount of flavonoids which halts LDL oxidation while boosting HDL cholesterol levels. Consuming grape juice aids in maintaining optimum blood pressure.

6. CHERRY JUICE

Tart cherry juice effectively lowers cholesterol levels and boosts cardiovascular health. With regular consumption of tart cherry juice, you will see a significant reduction in blood pressure, and you can soon return to a healthy lifestyle. Again when you are choosing tart cherry juice, make sure that you go for the unsweetened variety, or else you will end up nullifying the sound effects of the tart cherry.

While both tart cherries and grape juice offer a healthy alternative to alcohol, you may have red wine once in a while. It is different from others owing to its strong antioxidant content. But it’s essential to limit the alcohol intake to red wine only. Red wine has many polyphenolic compounds, such as anthocyanin, catechins, and resveratrol. In particular, resveratrol is most effective in lowering LDL due to its antioxidant properties.

7. COCOA DRINKS

Cocoa contains an antioxidant called flavanols, a compound used for improving cholesterol levels by reducing LDL. It also boosts HDL cholesterol and helps improve heart health, cognitive function, and blood pressure.

Although dark chocolate containing more than 70 percent cocoa is recommended, cocoa drinks available have high sugar content. This will invariably have an adverse effect on your cardiovascular health and surge the risk for diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure.

Thus, it would be best to go for cocoa powder without added flavors. The best is the one with at least 70 percent cocoa without any extra sugar content. It’s also great to curb your sweet tooth craving by having cocoa smoothies or preparing hot cocoa with soy or oat milk.

FINAL WORDS

Now you may wonder why it’s essential to keep your cholesterol levels under control. High levels of cholesterol may lead to fatty deposits in the arteries. Consequently, it becomes difficult to obtain sufficient blood flow, increasing the chance of cardiovascular disease.

Keeping cholesterol levels under control is the best way to live a healthy life without being vulnerable to various health issues. When the LDL levels become too high, you may develop a health condition called hypercholesterolemia, inflating the risk of heart disease, stroke, and atherosclerosis. Even though it might not appear to be a significant change, consuming these healthy beverages can reduce cholesterol levels.