Lower your cholesterol by eating grapes regularly.
Many people can lower their cholesterol levels simply by changing what they eat. Eating grapes regularly can also help lower cholesterol.
Cholesterol is a type of fat that the body uses to create cells and hormones. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are two different types of cholesterol.
HDL is the "good" cholesterol, and you should increase it for optimal health. Conversely, LDL is the "bad" cholesterol, and lower levels can help improve health. Additionally, drinks that increase HDL or decrease LDL levels may be helpful.
When cholesterol levels are above a certain threshold, it increases the risk of serious health conditions, such as stroke or heart attack. However, optimal levels can vary from person to person.
Eating grapes regularly helps lower cholesterol (Illustrative image: Gettyimages).
Many studies indicate that eating certain fruits, such as apples and grapes, can promote healthy blood vessels. This is because these fruits contain polyphenols, which are antioxidants. Eating such fruits also helps lower blood sugar and blood pressure.
According to Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City), a study published in the journal Nutrients also showed that grapes not only reduce inflammation - a contributing factor to heart disease - but also increase the diversity of the gut microbiota and lower blood cholesterol levels.
To learn more about the health benefits of eating grapes, researchers surveyed 19 healthy adults.
These individuals followed a special diet low in fiber and polyphenols—compounds found in fruits and vegetables that help reduce inflammation and regulate blood pressure—for a month. Afterward, they continued the same diet but added 46 grams of grape powder daily, equivalent to two servings of fresh grapes.
Researchers collected stool, blood, and urine samples from volunteers during both phases of the experiment.
The research team found that after a month of consuming grape powder, the diversity of beneficial bacteria in the gut of all volunteers increased, particularly one type involved in glucose regulation and fatty acid breakdown.
They also reduced their "bad" cholesterol levels by nearly 8%, as well as steroid acid levels by 40%. High levels of these acids can lead to clogged blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The study's author, Dr. Jieping Yang of the University of California (USA), suggests that this effect may be due to grapes being a rich source of fiber and polyphenols, both of which are beneficial for the gut and cardiovascular system.
Previously, researchers at the Department of Dermatology Birmingham, University of Alabama (USA) also demonstrated that, in healthy adults, grapes can help protect the skin from damage caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Symptoms you have: high blood cholesterol
According tographlineIf your LDL cholesterol levels are too high or your HDL cholesterol levels are too low, fat will build up in your blood vessels. These deposits will make it difficult for blood to flow through your arteries. This can cause problems throughout the body, especially in the heart and brain.
High cholesterol usually doesn't cause any symptoms. In most cases, it only triggers medical emergencies like a heart attack or stroke.
These conditions don't usually occur until high cholesterol leads to plaque buildup in the arteries. Plaque can narrow the arteries so less blood can pass through. Plaque buildup alters the structure of your artery lining. This can lead to serious complications.
A blood test is the only way to know if your cholesterol is too high.