The Best Morning Drink for High Cholesterol, According to Research

Did you know that about 40% of people who have high LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) levels are unaware of their status?1 If your doctor has told you your LDL is high, consider yourself lucky to be informed. When you know where you stand, you can take action—including changing up your diet to support healthier cholesterol levels and lower risk for heart disease.

We know that fiber-rich foods like whole grains, flaxseed, soy, nuts and unsaturated fats can help bring down unhealthy cholesterol levels. But there’s another category to consider: what you’re drinking. We talked to three registered dietitians about the beverage they’d recommend for bringing down your cholesterol, some easy ways to add more of it to your diet, and other drinks that can improve cholesterol levels, too.

According to dietitians, pomegranate juice is one of the top morning beverages for helping reduce your cholesterol levels.

Why Pomegranate Juice Can Improve Your Cholesterol Levels

Pomegranate juice is known for its rich red hue, a sign of the healthful 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 Karman Meyer, RDN. In one scientific review, consuming pomegranates was associated with a reduction in triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood) and LDL levels, while increasing “good” HDL levels. 

These benefits may happen rather quickly—one small study on middle-aged adults with high body weight and dyslipidemia (a condition which includes high cholesterol) found that people who drank around a cup of pomegranate juice every day for two weeks benefited from lower LDL cholesterol.

In addition, if you also have hypertension (which, along with high cholesterol, increases your risk for heart disease), research also suggests that consuming pomegranate may help bring down blood pressure levels.5  Of course, Meyer points out, pomegranate juice is not a replacement for medication, but it can be part of a heart-healthy eating pattern.

Source:  https://www.eatingwell.com/the-best-morning-drink-for-high-cholesterol-11909250