What kind of wine lowers cholesterol

The FDA state that most people should try to consume 1. Cocoa is the main ingredient in dark chocolate. It contains antioxidants called flavanols that may improve cholesterol levels.

Cocoa contains high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, which can also help improve cholesterol levels. However, drinks containing processed chocolate have high levels of saturated fats. People looking for healthful options may wish to choose pure cocoa drinks. Many types of plant-based milk contain ingredients that may help lower or control cholesterol levels. Make a soy or oat smoothie by blending 1 cup ml of soy or oat milk with cholesterol-lowering fruits or vegetables, such as:.

Some research has found that low-to-moderate alcohol consumption could be more beneficial in terms of heart health than not drinking at all. Moderate consumption involves drinking up to 1 alcoholic drink per day for females and up to 2 for males.

The impact that alcohol can have on cholesterol levels depends largely on factors including how much someone drinks, their age and sex, and the type of alcohol they consume. However, heavy drinking increases cholesterol, and consuming alcohol carries so many health risks that its negative effects likely outweigh its benefits.

People who wish to improve their cholesterol levels or maintain healthful levels may wish to avoid drinks high in saturated fats, such as:. Drinking more than 12 ounces of sugary drinks per day may also reduce HDL levels and increase triglyceride levels, or levels of fat in the bloodstream.

Doctors can also prescribe medications, for example, statins , to help keep cholesterol levels healthful. High levels of circulating cholesterol can trigger higher health risks. As plaque progresses, it can narrow blood vessels, reducing how much blood the vessels can carry. Plaque buildup is especially dangerous when it forms in arteries supplying vital organs such as the brain or heart. Narrowed arteries also increase the risk of a blood clot or other substances becoming stuck in them.

This can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. It absorbs circulating cholesterol and returns it to the liver for excretion. Foods rich in unsaturated fat can help the body absorb HDL, while those high in saturated and trans fats increase LDL in the blood.

Find out more about the different types of cholesterol here. Most adults over the age of 20 years should contact a doctor to check their cholesterol levels roughly every 5 years.

Jimenez suggests sipping one to two 8-ounce oz cups daily. While butter and other solid fats raise cholesterol, the unsaturated fats in oils may help lower it. Polyunsaturated fats, found primarily in corn, safflower, sesame, soybean, and sunflower oil , may slash LDL cholesterol. Try this: Cook with oils instead of butter, mix them with vinegar for salad dressing, or drizzle them along with herbs and spices on vegetables before roasting. Moderation is key, since oil is high in fat and calories.

Nuts are another good source of monounsaturated fats. Eating 1 oz of any kind of nuts daily for one month may lower LDL cholesterol by 8 to 20 percent. Try this: Snack on an ounce a day — the equivalent of 23 almonds , 35 peanuts, 14 English walnut halves, 49 pistachios, or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Or add chopped nuts to salads, pasta, or yogurt.

These plant compounds are found naturally in small amounts in certain fruits and vegetables, oils, nuts, seeds, and grains — and in higher amounts in certain fortified foods. Eating 2 g a day can help lower high levels of LDL by 5 to 15 percent. Drink a cup of sterol-fortified orange juice, which provides 1 g. Snack on a 3-oz fortified yogurt, which has 2 g. Smear a tablespoon of fortified, trans fat-free margarine, which has 1 g, on your whole-grain toast for breakfast. A study published in October in The Journal of Nutrition found that eating soy daily — and adding it to your diet to replace foods high in saturated fat — can help lower LDL cholesterol by nearly 8 to 10 percent.

Try this: Munch on edamame soybeans as a snack or add them to salads, drink soy milk , and use tofu in smoothies or as a replacement for meat in salads and stir-fries. Soy counts toward the daily three to five half-cup servings of vegetables, dry beans, or legumes that the TLC diet recommends.

Getting 10 to 12 g of blond psyllium the kind of fiber in supplements like Metamucil per day can decrease LDL cholesterol by 5 to 10 percent , according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. You mix psyllium powder into water and drink it as a beverage. Try this: Consult your doctor before taking blond psyllium, since it could interfere with the absorption of certain medications.

Follow package directions to make sure you drink enough. Alcohol may raise levels of good HDL cholesterol by as much as 5 to 15 percent, research shows — and red wine is particularly beneficial because its polyphenol antioxidants may also lower LDL levels.

Try this: Stick to one 5-oz glass of wine a day for women and two for men. Talk to your doctor about other ways you can lower your blood pressure , like exercising moderately and eating a diet rich in healthy fats.

Fact: Red wine and other types of alcohol can immediately increase your risk of heart attack and stroke, according to the American Heart Association. This risk, however, decreases over time. On the other hand, consuming heavy amounts of alcohol, including red wine, can increase your risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Consider reducing the amount of alcohol you drink to give your body a break. Fact: Women and men experience alcohol differently, so they should consume it differently. The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute has long been a leader in cardiovascular care, with a rich history in clinical research and innovation.