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High cholesterol often does not make itself known until serious consequences appear. One of the most dangerous is the blockage of blood vessels. To reduce cholesterol in the blood, first of all, you need to change your diet, doctors say. One of the easiest ways is to start eating apples.
According to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, just two apples a day can significantly lower the level of “bad” cholesterol in the body. Specifically, the study looked at the consumption of Renetta Canada apples.
“People who ate two large apples daily, which are high in polyphenols, had lower levels of LDL, also known as ‘bad’ cholesterol, while no reduction in ‘good’ cholesterol was observed,” the scientists said. They believe the positive effect was achieved due to the fruit’s high fiber and polyphenol content.
These plant compounds are believed to be able to protect against heart disease and even some types of cancer.
Heart UK experts add that apples contain a type of beneficial fibre called pectin, which can block the absorption of some cholesterol from the gut into the blood. The Mayo Clinic recommends consuming five to 10 grams of fibre a day.
