7 Healthy Drinks To Prevent Bad Cholesterol After Eating Sacrificial Meat

Illustration of sacrificial meat (Photo: Freepik/EyeEm)

JAKARTA - The moment of Eid is synonymous with dishes of sacrificial meat such as satay, sugary, and canteng. Although delicious and taste-inspiring, excessive consumption of red meat can increase cholesterol levels in the blood, especially bad cholesterol (LDL).

To maintain heart and blood vessel health, it is important to balance the consumption of high-fat foods with drinks that can help lower or control cholesterol levels.

Here are 7 less cholesterol drinks that you can consume after eating sacrificial meat, as reported by the Medical News Today page.

1. Green Tea

Green tea contains caterins and other antioxidant compounds that can help lower levels of LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol. In a 2020 study, epigallocaceechic antioxidants (EGCG) in green tea have been shown to lower LDL levels both in humans and animals.

2. Soybean milk

Soybeans are low in saturated fat. Changing saturated fat with soy milk can help reduce or manage cholesterol levels. Check the nutritional label to find out the content of soybean protein in the milk.

3. Oat Drink

Oat contains beta-glukan, soluble fiber that forms substances such as gels in the intestines and interacts with bile salt. This fiber helps inhibit cholesterol absorption and lower levels.

A 2017 review shows that drinks from oats, such as oat milk, may be more effective in reducing cholesterol than solid oat products. One glass 250 mL of oat milk can contain about 1 gram beta-glukan.

4. Distribution of tomatoes

Tomatoes rich in lycopene, a compound that can help improve lipid profile and lower LDL. The process of processing tomatoes into juice actually increases lycopene's bioavailability (absorption power).

The tomato juices also contain fiber and niasine that can help lower cholesterol. A study in 2019 found that consumption of saltless tomato juice for a year could improve LDL levels in 260 adults in Japan.

5. Smoothie Berry

Many types of berries contain antioxidants and fiber that can help lower cholesterol. In particular, anthocine which is a strong antioxidant compound in berry, can improve cholesterol levels.

Berry is also low in calories and fat. You can make smoothie berry by mixing berry fruit, low in fat milk or yogurt, and cold water. Examples of common berry fruit are strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberry.

6. Drinks Containing Sterol And Stanol

Sterol and stylol are natural compounds in plants that are similar to cholesterol, and can inhibit absorption in the body.

Since vegetables and nuts contain only a few of these compounds, producers often add them to products such as yogurt drinks, milk, and fruit juice.

For effective results, consumption of 1.52 grams of diesel and stylol per day, or about 13 servings of products that have been fortified. It is recommended to eat together fatty foods so that the absorption is maximized.

7. Chocolate Drinks (Kakao)

Kakao is the main ingredient of black chocolate and contains flavanol, an antioxidant that can help improve cholesterol levels. The 2022 review shows cocoa products can reduce levels of LDL and total cholesterol, although they do not affect HDL levels much.

However, be careful with processed chocolate drinks because they often contain high saturated fats, as well as additional sugar and salt. You should choose chocolate or cocoa without these additions.