A New Study Reveals That Cheese May Lower Your Cholesterol Levels

Cheese may lower cholesterol levels

If you have been recently diagnosed with high cholesterol, you may be wondering as to what foods should be included in your diet and which foods should be eliminated. For instance, cheese is a food you could associate with high cholesterol. According to a new study, certain kinds of saturated fats might not only be okay to eat, but they might actually lower your cholesterol levels, reports Business Insider. Gone are the days when you would have to think twice before consuming a block of cheese. Doctors and nutritionists had long ago warned against the excessive consumption of saturated fats because of their close link to the heart diseases.

Also read: 8 Amazing Health Benefits Of Cheese

The lead author of the study Emma Feeney said "We need to stop thinking about foods in terms of their fat and their saturated fat content, and thinking about them as a whole food." 

The study looked at around 164 overweight Irish adults and found that the people who consumed full-fat Irish cheddar cheese (up to 120 grams a day!) while limiting the other dairy products to just two ounces of milk per day, did not gain weight. In fact it lowered both their total cholesterol and levels of so-called "bad" LDL cholesterol. Feeney said "We need to stop thinking about foods in terms of their fat and their saturated fat content, and thinking about them as a whole food."

Feeney concluded by saying that "We would not recommend that people go off and eat 120 grams of cheese every day." But "a piece of cheese, the recommended portions of cheese, is not going to do you any harm."

A piece of cheese in moderation will not be harmful
Photo Credit: iStock

Also read: Weight Loss: 3 Tablespoons Of This Drink In A Day Will Help You Lose Belly Fat And Lower Cholesterol Levels

Have a look at some foods that can lower your cholesterol levels:

1. Fiber:Fiber is very important for maintaining a healthy heart. There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber is important for the digestive system. Soluble fiber on the other hand binds to cholesterol in the bloodstream and helps remove it through stool. Additionally, soluble fiber has helps to control the blood sugar levels as well.

Fibre is extremely important for maintaining a healthy heart
Photo Credit: iStock

2. Oats: The first simple step to improve your cholesterol levels is having oatmeal or cold oat-based cereal for your breakfast. Oatmeal has around one to two grams of soluble fiber.

3. Beans: Beans are rich in soluble fiber. This helps you keep full for longer after a meal. This is one of the reason beans are a useful food for people who are trying to lose weight.

4. Soya: Eating soya beans and other foods made from soya, like tofu, edamame or soya milk, was once touted as an effective way to lower the cholesterol level. Consuming 25 grams of soya protein everyday could lower LDL by 5% to 6%.

Soya milk is an effective way to reduce cholesterol levels
Photo Credit: iStock

Also read: 8 Best Foods To Increase Your Good Cholesterol Levels

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.