JAKARTA - About 40 percent of people are unaware of having high levels of LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol, which should be known to change eating patterns to support healthier cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Quoting Antara, there are several easy ways to lower cholesterol, one of which is by consuming pomegranate juice as one of the morning drinks.
"Pomegranate juice is rich in polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that help protect LDL cholesterol from oxidative damage, which is a key step in plaque formation," says registered dietitian Karman Meyer, RDN.
A small study in middle-aged adults with high weight and dyslipidemia (a condition that includes high cholesterol) found that people who drank about one cup of pomegranate juice every day for two weeks benefited from a reduction in LDL cholesterol.
In people with high blood pressure or hypertension, research also shows that eating pomegranate can help lower blood pressure.
In addition to pomegranate, nutritionist Ali McGowan MS RD said that smoothies made with unsweetened oat milk, berries, and chia seeds (all sources of soluble fiber) can be a heart-healthy morning drink.
Another nutritionist, Amy Woodman, also recommends a glass of tomato juice because of its lycopene content, an antioxidant found in red-colored foods such as tomatoes that has been shown to increase good cholesterol levels, especially HDL levels.
Look for low-sodium or sodium-free tomato juice to be safe for blood pressure.
And finally, if warm drinks in the morning are more in line with everyone's taste, choose a cup of green tea, which is rich in antioxidants.
"Green tea consumption has been associated with moderate reductions in total and LDL cholesterol in clinical studies," said McGowan.
Heart health is related to the entire diet, not just one thing that is eaten (or drunk). Making small and sustainable changes in eating habits can support long-term heart health.
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