Will grapefruit lower cholesterol?

If you’ve been told by your doctor that you have high cholesterol, it can be tempting to throw caution to the wind and live on a diet of fried food and ice cream until the end of time. But before you start filling up on junk, consider whether grapefruit might help lower those pesky numbers.

What is Cholesterol?

Before we dive into whether grapefruit can help lower cholesterol levels, let’s first discuss what exactly cholesterol is (in case you skipped that day in health class).

Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in your blood. It’s produced naturally by your body, but it can also come from foods like meat, eggs, and cheese. There are two types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol because it can build up in your arteries over time, leading to heart disease or strokes.

Can Grapefruit Help Lower Cholesterol Levels?

So now back to our original question – will eating grapefruit actually have an impact on lowering bad LDL? Well… maybe! Studies have shown some promising results regarding the relationship between grapefruit consumption and healthy hearts (see I’m full of useful information!).

Research has suggested that consuming at least one grapefruit per week could lead to better cardiovascular health – this includes reduced risk for strokes as well as decreased levels of triglycerides. These reductions were seen predominantly when people ate red/pink rather than white-grapefruits likely due bioactive agents known as flavanones found exclusively in pink/red ones.

However keep reading there are certain circumstances where incorporating even more fruit into ones’ diet isn’t always beneficial

Not all grapes are created equal

Grapefruits contain chemicals called furanocoumarins which interact with certain medication leading to adverse effects including potential liver damage. This is due to how grapefruit interacts with certain enzymes in the liver that break down and eliminate drugs from your system.

So while it can be an antioxidant powerhouse for some of us, anyone taking any type of medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – should speak to their doctor before making a habit out of eating gads of grapefruit. Chemicals known as furanocoumarins found in Grapefruits interfere with the body’s ability break down drugs (troublesome little guys) by blocking specific enzyme used by the liver.

Other Ways To Lower Cholesterol

Don’t like grapefruit? Don’t worry, there are plenty other ways you can lower cholesterol levels naturally:

Through Diet:

  • Increasing intake plant based foods (especially fiber rich ones)
  • Choose heart-healthy fats such as almond butter instead rather than sugar-filled spreads
  • Reducing consumption processed sugar-heavy items
  • Incorporating omega-rich fish
  • Experimenting With spice adding garlic , ginger and turmeric sprinkles

Lifestyle Tips:

Becoming more active physically

Conclusion

There’s no denying it; high cholesterol is nothing to mess around with! While incorporating grapefruit into a healthy diet certainly could help promote better cardiovascular health overall–it might notnessary lead immensely dramatic reductions. Plus we all have our own unique circumstances when managing chronic conditions so always consult with your physician regarding best course-of-action .

But keep up cooking new plant-based dishes at home, physical exercise along enjoying every now then those darn scrumptious cheat meals. It will make every day feel lighter and brighter… even if your cholesterol isn’t 🍅🌿🏄‍♀️🍰❤️

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