1 week Ago By [email protected] (Fiona Callingham, Jayne Thomson)
High cholesterol is a significant health issue in the UK, with an estimated two out of five adults believed to be living with the condition - many of whom may not even be aware. The problem arises when there's too much cholesterol, a fatty, waxy substance, in your blood. Over time, this can lead to blockages and significantly increase the risk of medical emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes.
One of the main culprits behind high cholesterol is an unhealthy diet, especially one rich in saturated fat. Consequently, health organisations like the NHS advise reducing intake of foods high in this type of fat to lower cholesterol levels. While certain foods can elevate your cholesterol levels, others can have the reverse effect.
READ MORE: 'Fly-tipping pandemic on city streets' after council suddenly shuts waste removal service Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp , click the link to join Research suggests that two delicious fruits, more commonly prepared and eaten as vegetables, could help lower cholesterol: aubergine and okra. Aubergine, also known as eggplant, is highlighted by Heart UK as particularly beneficial for combating high cholesterol due to its fibre content. The charity explains: "It [fibre] blocks some cholesterol from being absorbed from the intestines into the bloodstream.
", reports the Mirror . A scientific study published in the journal of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology concluded that aubergine could reduce cholesterol levels in just four weeks. This research examined the impact of these fruits on blood lipids in rabbits with high cholesterol.
Initially, the bunnies were spoon-fed a diet high in cholesterol and coconut oil, known for its saturated fat content, lasting four weeks. During the final two weeks, they also received a daily serving of 10 millilitres of aubergine juice. A study, highlighted in our free health newsletter from the Mirror, found quite remarkable results: those rabbits that sipped on this juice reported "significantly" reduced levels of plasma cholesterol and "bad" cholesterol.
The team of researchers reached a verdict that the juice of this fruit is capable of trimming both weight and cholesterol in these furry subjects, noting that "In hypercholesterolemic rabbits eggplant juice significantly reduced weight, plasma cholesterol levels, aortic cholesterol content and the MDA concentrations in native-oxidised low-density lipoprotein ['bad' cholesterol] and in the arterial wall and increased the endothelium-dependent relaxations,". Moving on to okra, this vegetable hails from east Africa and has found its place in foods across Caribbean, Cajun, and Indian cultures. Sometimes referred to as lady's fingers due to its elongated shape, it's garnering attention for more than just its unique form.
Heart UK heralds okra as a champion in the fight against high cholesterol, emphasizing its fiber richness. Not to be outdone, they mention that "Sweet potato, aubergine, okra (ladies' fingers), broccoli, apples, strawberries and prunes are also good options." A study featured in Phytotherapy Research explored the effects of okra on mice, dividing them into groups that were fed high cholesterol diets with varying levels of okra powder.
The rodents given okra saw a decrease in total cholesterol levels. The researchers concluded: "In conclusion, okra has potential application in the management of hyperlipidaemia and its associated metabolic disorders." If you're worried about your cholesterol, it's advised to consult with your GP.
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