Riddle me this:
I am found in Egyptian tombs. Groundhogs eat me with a passion. So should you.
Why? Because I’ll lower your LDL cholesterol with just one daily serving.
What am I? Let’s spill the beans (pun totally intended, as you shall see) – the healthy food we are talking about is none other than legumes that include peas, lentils, beans and chickpeas.
A recent study based in Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto analyzed data of 1037 people from 26 different studies conducted in USA and Canada.
They found that just consuming ¾ cup of legumes every day helped reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood by up to 5 percent.
An excess amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood is often associated with plaques in the artery and heart disease. The low glycemic index of legumes is also very useful for controlling diabetes.
Interestingly, it was discovered that men benefited more from the diet change than women, and this is assumed to be due to the fact that men generally eat a poorer diet low in nutrients and generally have higher cholesterol levels. Of course, a few patients reported stomach upset, bloating and constipation on consuming legumes regularly. However, gradually increasing legumes in the diet can help reduce the symptoms.
The real challenge would be in adding legumes to the daily diet for many people. Hummus and lentil soup are good options and beans can be added to pasta dishes, soups, salads and quesadillas.
Considering all the benefits, more people should come forward and include legumes in their diet. There are countless recipes that can be prepared using one or more types of legumes, so it’s really time to kick start this healthy habit. Right now.
Just good for everyBODIES>>>>
I use beans a lot. They’re not just good for cholesterol but overall health.
More health advice… I am glad I like beans etc…….
Thank you for your very informative articles and help for B P and Cholesterol related issues. I was diagnosed with both a few months ago and panicked, being told I have to go on Statins, which I refuse to do. Most medications mask the symptoms without getting to the cause of the problem. I went cold turkey in the first week and cut out all salt, sugar, fat and coffee. I am a semi-vegetarian anyway, but am more conscious of different fats and what I can consume and what not. Coconut oil is amongst the best, and Morello cherry juice, beetroot juice, pomegranate juice, walnuts and pulses are all on my regular menu. I am glad that you are reinforcing the use of these nutrients. I just wish people would take the trouble to change their lifestyle instead of relying on medication, because they can't be bothered.
Thank you again.
Thanks for the information. I eat blueberries every day on top of oatmeal or in a smoothie. My people were raised on beans. Every Tuesday was bean night at our house. As we grew up and no as on with families of our own, we continued the tradition. Sometimes a family will call to say she's cooking beans and we all flock to her house as if she had prepared a gourmet meal. we ate lots of food that was cheap back in the day, and now we know it was the best food of all.
Cholesterol medicine like so much other medicine has many side effects. I've found that adding ground Flax Seed to your daily meal once a day does wonders for many health problems.
Thanks for the good information, Ms. Torso!
Ms. Marso, I mean.
Good for you, Eve. I, too was prescribed a statin and refused to take it. I find it so difficult to believe and yet it is true that so many Doctors continue to whip out their prescription pad rather than deal with the source of the issue.
Linda you are right on. I make smoothies twice a day consisting of vanilla almond milk, a few strawberries, metamucil, milled flax seed and black cherry juice. It tastes great and makes a difference in my cholesterol.