If cholesterol levels are elevated, adding a green smoothie daily (as part of a healthy, balanced diet) can help lower bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol.
While vegetarian diets are good for lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, you don’t have to go vegan in order to reap some of the cholesterol-lowering benefits of plant-based foods, as a few shakes greens a week you will be able to reduce it naturally.
As for fruits and vegetables that may provide some cholesterol-lowering benefit, some studies have shown that strawberries can be very effective. Apples, as well as other fruits and vegetables in the diet, also fulfill this function. The cholesterol-lowering benefits of green smoothies and a whole-food diet may be the best option.
Green smoothies to lower cholesterol
Green smoothies, as well as fruits and vegetables, do not contain saturated or trans-fat, so they are a great alternative. Adding fruits and vegetables to the diet in the form of green smoothies could be effective in helping to lower bad cholesterol levels.
All fruits and vegetables should provide some benefit, and the research specifically targets apples, strawberries, and avocados.
Apple and avocado smoothie
- 1 apple without stone.
- 2 tablespoons of hemp seeds.
- 1/4 avocado.
- 236 ml almond milk.
- 2 cups of spinach.
Strawberry lemonade
- 10 medium strawberries.
- 1/2 lemon without seeds or peel.
- A frozen banana.
- 3 collard greens, stems removed.
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds, soaked for 5 minutes.
- 8 ounces unsweetened almond milk.
Tropical smoothie
- 1/4 avocado.
- Half a pear.
- 1 normal cup of pineapple cut into squares.
- Fresh spinach a good amount.
- 1/4 grated ginger.
- Pre-soak the chia seeds and add 2 tablespoons to your smoothie.
- 150 ml almond milk.