High blood pressure prevention: Losing cholesterol is as easy as gaining it, study finds

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Everyone knows that there is good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL). But not many people know that LDL is actually as easy to lose as it is to gain by simply eating right.

According to Harvard Health, there is a particular set of foods that will help eliminate bad cholesterol from the body. Other can even prevent LDL from entering the bloodstream and harming the body.

Some cholesterol-lowering foods contain high dosages of soluble fiber, which actually binds cholesterol. Harvard Health explains that fiber traps cholesterol while it is in the digestive system and removes it from the body before it can even enter circulation.

Other foods contain polyunsaturated fats, which can also lower LDL in the body, while others have plant sterols and stanols that absorb cholesterol.

Listed below are some foods that can successfully decrease, absorb or eliminate bad cholesterol from the body.

1. Oatmeal Food Products

Oatmeal is high in soluble fiber, states Mayo Clinic. The medical site elaborates that consuming 5 to 10 grams of fiber everyday can actually decrease the amount of LDL cholesterol in the body.

There are six grams of fiber in one and a half cups of cooked oatmeal. Adding fruits could increase the amount of fiber you consume.

2. Beans

Beans also have plenty of soluble fiber. Plus, beans keep hunger at bay, since they leave people feeling full much longer. As a result beans are also good weight loss food, states Harvard Health. Not to mention there is an array of bean choices to fit plenty of delicious dishes, from kidney beans to lentils and from garbanzo beans to black-eyed peas.

3. Nuts

Nuts keep the blood vessels healthy, since they are full of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Even eating a handful of nuts can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Mayo Clinic suggests stay away from salted or sugar-coated nuts, though, as those can be counter-productive to the health benefits of nuts. Also, remember that nuts are high in calories, so try to limit consumption.

4. Fish

According to Harvard Health, fatty fish can lower LDL in two ways. First, by replacing meat with fish, since meat actually contains saturated fats that boost LDL.

Second, fish contains omega-3 fats, which decrease the amount of triglycerides found in the bloodstream. In addition, omega-3 fats also prevent abnormal heart beats and protects from heart disease.

Mayo Clinic recommends eating mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tune, salmon and halibut.