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How to Boost Digestion with Probiotic-Rich Foods

INTRODUCTION Good digestion is critical for maintaining overall health. A healthy digestive system helps in nutrient absorption, enhancing immune function, and also for increasing mental focus. However, the problems with digestion, such as bloating, constipation, and indigestion, are very common. But luckily, the foods rich in probiotics provide a simple, natural way to promote better digestion and gut balance. Knowing about probiotics and including them in our diet can greatly improve digestion, mood and the immune function. What Are Probiotics? Probiotics are living microbes, mainly bacteria and yeast, that increase health when consumed in the proper quantity. These helpful microbes naturally live in the gut and are present in different foods and supplements. The probiotics boost up digestion by maintaining a well-balanced gut environment and different kinds of microbes that are necessary for digesting foods, nutrient absorption and fighting harmful bacteria. Major Differences: Probi...

Foods That Naturally Lower Cholesterol

INTRODUCTION

Keeping cholesterol in balance is important for healthy heart function, as elevated cholesterol can increase the risk of heart diseases. Diet plays a major role in regulating proper cholesterol levels. Several foods are known to naturally help reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL), supporting heart health. In this write-up, we will uncover five such cholesterol-reducing foods: green tea, fatty fish, nuts, avocados, and olive oil. By including these nutrient-packed foods into your diet, you can bring a meaningful change in maintaining your cholesterol levels and boosting your cardiac health.


1) GREEN TEA

Green Tea is actually considered as a drink with various benefits and one of which is its ability to
lower or maintain a good cholesterol level. But how? This is because of the presence of an antioxidant called catechins in the green tea.

The antioxidant catechins is mainly present in the tea and the green tea is having the greatest concentration of it. These antioxidants have a major role in fighting against oxidative stress in our body which can cause cardiovascular issues, diabetes complications and enhanced cholesterol levels.

Green Tea
Green Tea


The green tea have the power to regulate both LDL(bad cholesterol) and HDL(good cholesterol).

LDL cholesterol is having a major role in plaque formation in the arteries increasing the threat for heart disease. But the catechins present in the green tea restrict the cholesterol absorption in the gut and as a result there will be a decrease in the LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream.

HDL cholesterol levels can be enhanced by the consumption of green tea. HDL cholesterol actually helps in the elimination of excess amount of cholesterol from the bloodstream and safeguard from heart problems.

Green tea helps reduce the triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are a type of fat present in our blood. We get triglycerides from the food we eat, and our body will also helps in their production. When a person consume more calories than his/her actual requirement, the excess calories are turned into triglycerides and reserves them in the fat cells. Elevated levels of triglycerides will enhance the risk of heart problems.

Query) How many cups of green tea should you drink every day to have the best cholesterol lowering effect?

Response) 2-3 cups

2) FATTY FISH

Fatty fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have the capability to improve cholesterol levels, mainly by increasing good cholesterol (HDL) and decreasing triglycerides.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) are the types of omega-3 fatty acids rich in the fatty fish. The omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats, and they are vital for different physiological processes in the body, but they should be acquired through food because our body cannot make them on its own.


Query) Name 5 fatty fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Response) Salmon, Mackerel, Sardines, Herring, Anchovies


Salmon
Fatty Fish


Evidence suggests omega-3 fatty acids can enhance HDL levels by 10-15% when incorporated into a daily diet.

Omega-3 fatty acids help the body process fats with improved efficiency, and this prevent the buildup of triglycerides in the bloodstream. Daily intake of fatty fish helps lower triglyceride levels by up to 30%.

Omega-3 fatty acids also have mild effect on lowering LDL, the bad cholesterol. They reduce the particle size of LDL and lead to reduced risk for plaque formation.

Query) How much fatty fish must be consumed for optimal health?

Response) At least two servings of fatty fish, with 3.5 ounces per serving, must be consumed  each week.

3) NUTS

Nuts are considered to be the heart healthy snack for reducing cholesterol. Nuts are loaded with healthy fat, fiber, protein, and several other nutrients, which helps in lowering LDL and HDL cholesterol.

Query) Name 3 best-known nuts with cholesterol-lowering effect.

Response) Walnuts, Almonds, Pistachios


Walnuts, Almonds, Nuts
Nuts


Nuts are the best source of unsaturated fats (good fats), which helps in lowering the LDL cholesterol in the blood. Especially, the monounsaturated fats that are present in the pistachios and almonds and polyunsaturated fats that are present in the walnuts can enhance the cholesterol profile by decreasing LDL and increasing HDL cholesterol levels.

Nuts are packed with dietary fiber. These fibers bind to cholesterol in the digestive system and takes part in its elimination from our body through stool, restricting it from getting absorbed into the blood.

The nuts, such as walnuts and almonds, consist of plant compounds like sterols and stanols that helps to lower cholesterol by restricting its absorption in the intestines. 

Nuts are also rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin E, polyphenols, and flavonoids. These antioxidants are highly effective in decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Nuts also contain a significant amount of protein. Choosing plant proteins rather than animal based ones helps lower the consumption of saturated fats, which can increase LDL cholesterol.


Query) How many grams of nuts should you eat daily?

Response) 28 grams or 1 ounce per day

4) AVOCADOS

Avocados are among the top nutrient-dense fruits because they are enriched with healthy fats, fiber, and a wide range of important vitamins and minerals.

Monounsaturated fats are healthy fats that are richly available in avocados. These monounsaturated fatty acids have the capability to reduce LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and to increase HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol).Oxidative stress and inflammation can cause heart diseases, but monounsaturated fats have the ability to decrease oxidative stress and inflammation in our body.

Avocados
Avocados

A single half of an avocado holds approximately 5 grams of fiber, which is around 20% of the suggested daily fiber requirement. So definitely avocado is a good addition to a heart-boosting diet.

Avocados also contain phytosterols (plant compounds with LDL cholesterol lowering advantages) and antioxidants such as vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

Avocados have a role in the reduction of triglycerides by offering a stable fusion of fiber, fats, and antioxidants that regulate lipid metabolism.

5) OLIVE OIL

Olive oil is a well-known source of healthy fats, mainly in Mediterranean diets. Olive oil is mainly composed of oleic acid, and oleic acid is a kind of monounsaturated fat that makes it mainly effective in reducing LDL cholesterol.

Olive oil is loaded with antioxidants, mainly polyphenols. Hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein are two most powerful polyphenols present in the olive oil.

Olive oil is an important component Mediterranean diet, helping to reduce total cholesterol levels and improved cholesterol profiles.


Olive Oil
Olive Oil


CONCLUSION

Including foods such as green tea, fatty fish, nuts, avocados, and olive oil into your diet can strongly promote cardiovascular health by naturally reducing cholesterol levels.

These foods are packed with healthy fats, antioxidants and other elements that enhance cardiovascular health. By adding these heart nourishing foods into your everyday diet, you can actively work on maintaining healthy cholesterol levels and boosting your overall wellness overtime.


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