What foods make your bad cholesterol go up or down?

Original Title

The effects of foods on LDL cholesterol levels: A systematic review of the accumulated evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms

Summary

This study looked at lots of other studies to see which foods help lower bad cholesterol and which make it worse.

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Surprising Findings

Avocados and turmeric may reduce LDL cholesterol by moderate to large amounts — despite not being standard recommendations in most dietary guidelines.

Most heart-healthy advice focuses on oats, nuts, and fish — not spices or fatty fruits. This suggests lesser-known foods might have stronger effects than assumed.

Practical Takeaways

Swap unfiltered coffee for filtered coffee, add 1 tbsp of oats or psyllium to your smoothie, and use canola oil instead of butter.

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