Cholesterol is also known as plaque, which is deposited in the arteries and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. You will be surprised to know that a heart attack is the cause of most deaths worldwide. Almost 1 in 5 people in the world die due to some form of heart disease. An unhealthy diet is the main reason for increasing cholesterol in the body. Usually, substances like calcium, plaque, fatty acids accumulate in the arteries. Dr. Ram Ashish explains that "There is no magic diet that can completely clean out the plaque in your arteries. But there are some things/foods that gradually decrease the plaque in your arteries." Apart from this, you can reduce the amount of cholesterol in your body by exercising daily and reducing your weight.
Oats
For nearly 20 years, the FDA has included oats in its list of beneficial foods for the heart. Since then, oats have become quite popular worldwide. Oats have a good amount of fiber, so they are the best food for lowering cholesterol and clearing the arteries. People with heart disease should eat 1 bowl of oats at breakfast (morning) daily.
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Lentils
Dal is prevalent as a staple food in us. Pulses like tur, moong, lentil, gram, urad, etc. are rich in protein. That's why pulses are called 'powerhouses of protein'. The amount of fiber in pulses decreases cholesterol, hence their intake should be good. Fat is also low in pulses and many nutrients like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, etc. are found in good amounts, so pulses are a very good diet for patients with heart disease and high blood pressure.
Turmeric
Turmeric has been used as an Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Turmeric contains a special antioxidant called curcumin, which does not accumulate fat in the arteries (does not block the arteries). Be sure to include turmeric in your diet. Apart from vegetable curry, you can also drink turmeric mixed with milk. It is beneficial for health.
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Broccoli
Broccoli has a lot of antioxidants, hence it is beneficial for the body. Recently, research has found that the consumption of broccoli keeps cancer and heart diseases at bay. The reason for this is that broccoli contains a special element called sulforaphane, which activates a certain type of protein in the body. These proteins prevent plaque from accumulating in the arteries. Apart from this, broccoli has a good amount of fiber in it.
Green tea
Drinking green tea increases your body's metabolism. This is why green tea has become very popular among people for weight loss. But research suggests that the element called EGCG present in green tea reduces the size of fat stored in the arteries. This element is also helpful in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Scientists have found that daily intake of green tea reduces the amount of LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides.
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