10 Foods that Can Help Prevent High Cholesterol

Did you know, almost half of American adults have high cholesterol? So, if that's you, know you aren't alone. It's mostly the combination of lifestyle factors and genetics that influence cholesterol. But what you eat still matters. In fact, when you eat closer to what the Dietary Guidelines recommends, you could lower your risk of heart disease and cholesterol.

So, aim to eat more fruits, vegetables, lean protein, lower fat dairy, whole grains—and at the same time, eat fewer less healthy or empty calorie foods like processed meats, salty snacks like potato chips, sweets, and sweetened beverages.

That said, although a single food isn't the magic bullet, these 10 foods have the potential to directly improve your cholesterol. Read on.

1. Brussels Sprouts

A 1/2-cup contains 3 grams of soluble fiber. And research suggests that upping your soluble fiber by as little as 5 to 10 grams a day can lower your LDL cholesterol by 3 to 5 percent. That's because soluble fiber binds to some of the dietary cholesterol in your intestines, preventing your body from absorbing it. Try this recipe for Simple Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

2. Oatmeal

Like Brussels sprouts, oatmeal contains soluble fiber. That's one win. But also, in a study of adults categorized as having overweight and obesity, those who included 2 daily servings of oatmeal in their weight loss diet, significantly lowered their total and LDL cholesterol. Learn how to make oatmeal the best ways here.

3. Garlic

According to a meta-analysis (essentially a type of study of studies) published in 2016, taking garlic supplements for 2 months could slightly improve cholesterol levels. Still, a small improvement is worthwhile: an 8 percent decrease in cholesterol has the potential to lower heart disease risk by 38 percent. (Learn more about why garlic is so good for you.)

4. Almonds

Adults who regularly eat a few ounces of almonds have significantly lower total and LDL cholesterol and higher HDL cholesterol compared to those who eat fewer almonds, according to a study of studies published in 2019. Try snacking on almonds for a heart-healthy snack or adding them to salads or oatmeal for a hearty crunch.

5. Hot peppers

The capsaicinoids (the compounds that make peppers spicy) have been shown to have a positive effect on cholesterol, as well as help prevent platelets in your blood from sticking together and building up in your arteries.

6. Kimchi

Yes, this spicy, fermented veggie has cholesterol-improving potential. In a study of Korean adults, those who ate just under 1½ cups of kimchi each day for 7 days significantly improved their total and LDL cholesterol. But also, those who ate much less kimchi (only 2 pieces at each meal) also lowered their cholesterol. And no matter how much kimchi was eaten, the participants who officially had "high" cholesterol reaped bigger benefits from eating kimchi than those who already had healthy-ish cholesterol.

7. Seaweed

Eating seaweed may help improve blood cholesterol levels—at least in animal studies—and even when they were fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet. Depending on the study, some animals lowered their triglycerides and LDL, while others raised their LDL. (Learn more about why seaweed is good for you.)

8. Carbonated mineral water

When postmenopausal people drank 1 liter of still water with a low mineral content for 2 months and then 1 liter of carbonated mineral water for 2 months, they saw a significant drop in their total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, and raised their HDL cholesterol after drinking the carbonated mineral water, per a small study in Spain. Staying hydrated helps keep your body healthy and mineral water may have some extra benefits.

9. Grapefruit

In a study published in 2014 in the journal Food & Nutrition Research, women who ate grapefruit or drank its juice regularly had lower triglyceride levels and higher HDL cholesterol compared to those who didn't consume grapefruit or its juice. Another bonus: the grapefruit group also had higher intakes of vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and fiber.

10. Pistachios

A handful of studies have found that those who add pistachios to their diet lower their total and LDL cholesterol, and raise their HDL cholesterol. They also improve their cholesterol ratios, which is valuable in terms of predicting heart disease risk. There is a minor catch: much of the research looked at adding pistachios to a lower or moderate fat diet, so you can't simply add pistachios to your standard Western diet and see an improvement.