There was one piece of fruit found in particular which should be consumed regularly for this specific purpose
People with high cholesterol are at a greater risk of serious health issues, including strokes and heart attacks.
One of the main contributors is a diet high in saturated fat – but as some foods were known to higher cholesterol, the NHS states that others proved effective when it came to lowering it.
There was one piece of fruit found in particular which should be consumed regularly for this specific purpose.
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The old saying ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ may not be too far from the truth according to nutritionist Eli Brecher.
According to GloucestershireLive, he said: “Apples are a nutrient-dense fruit, containing 10 percent of your daily vitamin C intake, alongside copper, vitamin K and vitamin E.
“An apple a day is a great habit for a healthy heart as not only does the pectin help to lower cholesterol but the polyphenols in apples are linked to lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of a stroke.”
Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2020 also supports this claim.
The collaboration between researchers from the UK and Italy found that consuming two apples a day could lead to a notable decrease in cholesterol levels.
The study’s 40 participants ate two apples each day over the course of eight weeks, and saw a drop in their cholesterol measurements.
Daily apple consumption could lead to healthier, more relaxed blood vessels, researchers found.
This effect is similar to what is observed with foods rich in polyphenols, such as red wine and tea.
“It seems the old adage of an apple day was nearly right,” said Professor Julie Lovegrove, senior author of the study from the Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition at the University of Reading.
Apples contain a type of flavonoid known as procyanidins, which have a potent antioxidant properties that could help reduce low-density lipids, also known as LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol.
An apple’s high concentration of antioxidants could also potentially offer protection against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and help maintain brain function.
Additionally, the skin and core of the apple were packed with pectin, a type of soluble fibre, which has been shown to improve blood cholesterol levels.
Drinking apple juice does not yield the same cholesterol-lowering benefits as it does not contain pectin, research has found.