It is true that foods rich in saturated fat can raise cholesterol, but they are not the only guilty foods.
Surprisingly, there is a strong body of evidence that suggests that high-cholesterol foods do not directly raise cholesterol levels. In fact, there are a host of genetic and lifestyle factors at play when it comes to elevated cholesterol levels.
cholesterol levels are Influenced for:
- Healthy nutrition
- Alcohol
- exercise habits
- Stress
- sleep hygiene
- Weight control
- Get older
- Genetics
- medicines
- Of smoking
Improving your cholesterol is likely the result of both what you choose to eat and what you practice to limit. Let’s dive into the exact drinking habits you need to change to start improving your cholesterol levels!
added sugars can raise LDL cholesterol, also known as the “bad” cholesterol. One of the ways this happens is through the liver. Excess sugar tells the liver to make more of the bad stuff and less of the good cholesterol.
Drinking less soda is hard. Rest slowly and find alternatives that you enjoy. Consider this personal account from how i stopped drinking soda.
Sober and curious living is in, and for good reason! Beyond the mental health benefits, drink less alcohol is good for your heart. In fact, the health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption, defined as one standard drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, is now the subject of debate.
When in doubt, it would be wise to drink more carefully. Make a mocktail at home if you feel like it and enjoy the health benefits of less alcohol!
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If you live in the south, this one might hurt. Sweet tea it’s high in calories and added sugars, which we already know tend to raise “bad” cholesterol.
Sweet tea is usually consumed. That is, we drink it out of habit with every meal or as a stimulant. These daily habits add up, and the empty calories from sugary drinks don’t help either.
Sugary drinks are known to have a negative effect in our weight over time, leading to a higher incidence of obesity. Both weight gain and obesity are related to increased cholesterol levels.
For more information, we’ve got you covered with the America’s Best and Worst Bottled Teas.
coffee creams they’re super delicious, but this “extra” adds a significant amount of sugar and fat to your cup of choice. Creamers also tend to be dairy-based which have a significant amount of saturated fat, a type of fat that could increase cholesterol for some people more than for others.
Consider measuring out a serving or two in your coffee to see how much you’re really drinking. Choose a creamer with less added sugar and fat, and see if you can get by with a portioned serving!
Whether you’re drinking milk, coffee creamer, or a new kefir option, be mindful of the extra calories from saturated fat. Choose options that are low in fat, 1% or 2% fat most of the time.
For an added cholesterol bonus, focus on combining foods with saturated fats with high-fiber options to “bind” the excess cholesterol your body makes. TO high fiber diet It has been shown to lower “bad” cholesterol levels!
For more cholesterol tips, read the following:
