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    High Cholesterol: Effect of Food on Cholesterol

    High Cholesterol: Effect of Food on Cholesterol



    Topic Overview

    Food can affect the amounts of cholesterol in your blood. Some foods raise cholesterol. Other foods help lower cholesterol.

    The table below lists different foods and drinks and how they affect your total cholesterol level, your Reference HDL Opens New Window ("good") cholesterol, and your Reference LDL Opens New Window ("bad") cholesterol.

    Effects of different foods and drinks on your cholesterol

    Dietary element

    Examples

    Effect on your cholesterol level

    Alcohol
    • Red wine
    • White wine
    • Beer
    • Hard liquor
    • Moderate consumption (up to 1 drink a day for a woman; 1 or 2 a day for a man) may raise your HDL. But doctors don't recommend starting to drink alcohol to raise your HDL.
    • More than 2 drinks a day may raise Reference triglyceride Opens New Window levels in people who are overweight or who have high triglyceride levels.
    • Heavy drinking greatly increases risk of heart and liver damage, addiction, and other serious health problems.
    Dietary cholesterol
    • Egg yolks
    • Poultry, especially skin
    • Red meat, especially organ meats
    • Dairy products that are not low-fat (1%) or nonfat
    • Shellfish
    • Raises total blood cholesterol
    Dietary fiber (soluble)
    • Oats
    • Dried beans (legumes)
    • Peas
    • Barley
    • Citrus fruits
    • Apples
    • Proven to reduce total cholesterol and LDL

    Dietary fiber (insoluble)
    • Whole wheat breads and cereals
    • Beets
    • Cauliflower
    • Carrots
    • Turnips
    • Does not affect cholesterol but promotes healthy bowel movement
    Saturated fat
    • Fatty meats (beef, pork)
    • Poultry skin
    • Butterfat (in whole milk, cream, ice cream, cheese)
    • Tropical oils (coconut, palm)
    • Raises LDL
    • Little effect on HDL or triglycerides
    Monounsaturated fat
    • Olive oil
    • Canola oil
    • Avocados
    • Walnuts
    • Lowers LDL if substituted for saturated fat
    • Keeps HDL up
    Polyunsaturated fat
    • Safflower oil
    • Sunflower oil
    • Sesame oil
    • Corn oil
    • Soybean oil
    • Flaxseed oil
    • Linoleic acid, found in these oils, can lower LDL if used in moderation.
    Omega-3 fats
    • All fish, especially fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel
    • Plant sources, such as walnuts, canola, and flaxseed oils
    • Lowers triglycerides
    Trans fats
    • Hydrogenated fats, found in some margarines, vegetable shortenings, nondairy creamers, and whipped toppings
    • Snack foods (potato chips, cookies, cakes)
    • Peanut butter that contains hydrogenated fat (except all-natural varieties)
    • Raises LDL
    • Little effect on HDL but at high levels can lower HDL

    Soy protein
    • Soybeans
    • Soy products such as tofu
    • Lowers LDL by a small amount
    • No effect on HDL

    Plant stanols and sterols
    • Specially labeled margarine
    • Lowers LDL
    • No effect on HDL

    For information about a diet that helps lower cholesterol, see Reference Click here to view an Actionset. Reference High Cholesterol: Using the TLC Diet.




    By: Reference Healthwise Staff Last Revised: Reference June 18, 2012
    Medical Review: Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
    Reference Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator


    This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.


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