Experts name natural beverages that boost heart health

Pomegranate juice, rich in antioxidants, may help lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, according to the well-known American website eatingwell.com.

Did you know that about 40% of people with high LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) are unaware of their condition?

If your doctor has told you that your LDL is high, consider yourself fortunate to be informed, CE Report quotes ATA.

We know that fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, flax seeds, soy, nuts, and unsaturated fats can help lower unhealthy cholesterol levels.

But there is another category to consider: what you drink.

According to dietitians, pomegranate juice is one of the best morning drinks to help reduce cholesterol levels.

Why can pomegranate juice improve cholesterol levels?

Pomegranate juice is known for its red color, a sign of the healthy compounds it contains.

“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 Dr. Karman Meyer.

Its consumption is associated with a reduction in triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood) and LDL levels, while increasing good HDL levels.

These benefits can occur quite quickly – a small study of middle-aged adults with high body weight and dyslipidemia (a condition involving high cholesterol) found that people who drank about one cup of pomegranate juice daily for two weeks experienced lower LDL cholesterol.

Research also suggests that consuming pomegranate may help lower blood pressure levels.

Of course, Meyer emphasizes that pomegranate juice is not a substitute for medication, but it can be part of a heart-healthy eating pattern.

Adding pomegranate juice to a fiber-rich smoothie (such as fruits, spinach, and flax seeds) can create a powerful drink to support healthy cholesterol.

Along with pomegranate juice, a glass of tomato juice is also recommended due to its lycopene content. Lycopene is an antioxidant found in red foods like tomatoes, which has been shown to improve cholesterol levels, especially HDL levels.

And finally, if a warm morning drink is more suitable for you, choose a cup of green tea, which is packed with antioxidants.

Green tea consumption has been linked to modest reductions in total cholesterol and LDL in clinical studies.