The “Plant-based movement” has gained increasing popularity within the past few years, with more people turning to fruits and vegetables to help improve their health. As interest increases, as does research. A study conducted suggest four main foods that can have big benefits to the heart, such as lowering your cholesterol and blood pressure!

The fours foods said to benefit cholesterol include:

• Nuts
• Plant Protein such as tofu, soy milk, beans, peas, chickpeas, etc,.
• Soluble fibers such as oats, eggplant, apples, oranges
• Margarine enhanced with plant sterols, or “cholesterol-like” compounds that can be found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and cereals

Multiple governmental organizations such as the European Association for the Study of Diabetes are beginning to recognize and further investigate this particular diet as a prevention plan for cardiovascular diseases. 

Particularly the recommended foods above, called the “Portfolio” diet, which includes an intake of 42 grams of nuts, 20 grams of soluble fiber, 2 grams of plant sterols, and 50 grams of plant protein. The study concluded, “overall, the analysis found that sticking to the Portfolio diet lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as triglycerides (which are the most common fat types in the human body), blood pressure, and C-reactive protein (which is a marker of inflammation).” 

As research continues, we are seeing more and more evidence that a plant-based diet is not only restorative to your health, but can also be preventative.

Check out additional Plant Based Eating Resources here.

You can learn more – “These four foods are proven to lower your cholesterol” by Medical News Today