The 3 Best Fruits & Vegetables to Help Lower Cholesterol, According to a Cardiologist (2024)

Here’s what a cardiologist recommends to his patients.

By

Danielle DeAngelis

The 3 Best Fruits & Vegetables to Help Lower Cholesterol, According to a Cardiologist (1)

Danielle DeAngelis is a journalist and Associate News & Trending Editor for EatingWell. Her current beat is focused on food and health news as well as exclusive celebrity features, regularly interviewing the top names of today’s entertainment industry. She previous worked as the 2022-23 fellow and as an assistant editor for the brand. Her passion for reading, writing and eating local all guide her in her position at EatingWell.

Updated on January 8, 2024

Reviewed by Dietitian

Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

The 3 Best Fruits & Vegetables to Help Lower Cholesterol, According to a Cardiologist (2)

Reviewed by DietitianEmily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston.

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The 3 Best Fruits & Vegetables to Help Lower Cholesterol, According to a Cardiologist (3)

It’s no surprise that the foods you eat can help lower cholesterol, and healthy choices like fruits and vegetables are fresh staples in a healthy eating pattern. But if you’re unsure of where to start and what produce will specifically help manage cholesterol, we have some answers for you.

“Fruits and vegetables are naturally cholesterol-free and low in fat, making them an important part of managing high cholesterol,” cardiologist David Sabgir, M.D., tells EatingWell. “While I do typically recommend increasing your overall intake of fruits and vegetables, since many of us are not meeting our recommended daily intake, there are a few specific foods that I like to recommend to my patients.” Here’s what the doctor suggests.

Dark Leafy Greens

There are so many reasons to love leafy green vegetables, and this includes their health benefits.

“Dark leafy greens include spinach, kale, collard greens and more,” the cardiologist explains. “They contain lutein and other carotenoids that may lower risk of heart disease and reduce cholesterol levels.”

Enjoy them in a salad like this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Avocado & Walnuts, or blend them up in a smoothie with mango or bananas for a nutritious morning fix.

Avocado

For a hearty, healthy-fat option, you can’t go wrong with the versatile avocado.

“Avocados are effectively the only fruit that contains monounsaturated fat, with 5 grams per one-third of a medium avocado,” Sabgir states. “This can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels in your blood, which can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Not to mention, they are free of sugar and sodium.”

You can enjoy avocados on toast for breakfast, in a tuna salad for lunch or as an Avocado Pesto sauce with whole-wheat pasta for dinner.

Citrus Fruits

It’s citrus season, and not only are the fruits a sweet bite of deliciousness, but they’re also healthy choices for managing your cholesterol.

“Citrus fruits like oranges contain pectin, which may help lower cholesterol levels,” the doctor notes. “Pectin is a type of soluble fiber that encourages your body to reduce its LDL cholesterol.”

Combine citrus with leafy greens by making one of our delicious salads, from our Citrus Kale Salad to our Beet, Mandarin & Farro Salad.

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The 3 Best Fruits & Vegetables to Help Lower Cholesterol, According to a Cardiologist (2024)

FAQs

What is the number one fruit that kills bad cholesterol? ›

Apples are the most nutritious, healthy, and tasty fruit. You must have heard the common saying 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away'. Apples can effectively help in lowering your blood cholesterol levels naturally, as it is rich in polyphenols.

What is the number one vegetable to lower cholesterol? ›

Although all vegetables bring an array of cholesterol-lowering benefits to the table, there is one veggie that claims our No. 1 spot: Brussels sprouts.

What is the super fruit for cholesterol? ›

Avocados are effectively the only fruit that contains monounsaturated fat, with 5 grams per one-third of a medium avocado,” Sabgir states. “This can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels in your blood, which can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Not to mention, they are free of sugar and sodium.”

What foods flush out cholesterol naturally? ›

Cholesterol-lowering foods
  • Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods. Foods high in soluble fiber help reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. ...
  • Fish and omega-3 fatty acids. ...
  • Walnuts, almonds and other nuts. ...
  • Olive oil. ...
  • Foods with added plant sterols and stanols.

What is the miracle fruit that lowers cholesterol? ›

The calabash miracle fruit, also known as Synsepalum dulcificum, has been found to have a cholesterol-lowering effect. Extracts from the leaves, seeds, and dry pulp of the miracle fruit have shown the ability to decrease plasma total cholesterol levels in hamsters .

What is the golden drink that lowers cholesterol? ›

Golden milk, also known as turmeric milk, is a common Indian drink that has recently been gaining popularity in western cultures due to many health claims. It's beautiful bright yellow color is a result of adding turmeric, along with spices such as cinnamon and ginger, to milk.

What are the six super foods that lower cholesterol? ›

  • Legumes. Share on Pinterest. ...
  • Avocados. Avocados are a rich source of monounsaturated fats and fiber, two nutrients that help lower LDL and raise HDL cholesterol. ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Fatty fish. ...
  • Whole grains. ...
  • Fruits and berries. ...
  • Dark chocolate and cocoa. ...
  • Garlic.
Dec 19, 2023

What is the best morning drink for cholesterol? ›

Best drinks to improve cholesterol
  1. Green tea. Green tea contains catechins and other antioxidant compounds that seem to help lower LDL and total cholesterol levels. ...
  2. Soy drinks. Soy is low in saturated fat. ...
  3. Oat drinks. ...
  4. Tomato juice. ...
  5. Berry smoothies. ...
  6. Drinks containing sterols and stanols. ...
  7. Cocoa drinks. ...
  8. Plant milk smoothies.
Oct 27, 2023

What is the single best food to lower cholesterol? ›

Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods

Oatmeal has soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears.

What can I drink to flush out my cholesterol? ›

Cholesterol is often high due to excessive saturated and trans fat consumption. There are certain drinks that can help maintain an ideal cholesterol level. Some of the best drinks for cholesterol management include green tea, pomegranate juice, citrus juice, soy milk, plant-based smoothies, and red wine.

Which fruit can lower cholesterol overnight? ›

Pears and apples have a lot of pectin, which is a type of fiber that can lower cholesterol. So do citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. Berries are also high in fiber.

How do you flush cholesterol out of your body? ›

People can naturally lower their cholesterol levels by adopting dietary and lifestyle changes. This can include changing the types of fats they eat, consuming soluble fiber, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, maintaining healthy body weight, limiting alcohol intake, and getting enough good-quality sleep.

What removes cholesterol fast? ›

Healthy fats, Omega-3 rich foods, soluble fiber, exercise, weight loss, and quitting smoking can all help lower cholesterol levels.

Are eggs bad for cholesterol? ›

One large egg has about 186 mg of cholesterol — all of which is found in the yolk. If your diet contains little other cholesterol, according to some studies, eating up to an egg a day might be an OK choice. If you like eggs but don't want the cholesterol, use only the egg whites.

What is the strange fruit that lowers cholesterol? ›

Is bergamot beneficial for lowering cholesterol? Bergamot contains natural substances that may be beneficial for health. Some evidence suggests it can help lower cholesterol. Also known as Citrus bergamia, bergamot is a yellow citrus fruit that grows primarily in Calabria, Italy.

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