Oatmeal is such a powerhouse food, packed with essential nutrients like carbs and fiber, lending to a variety of different preparations. One of the health benefits of enjoying a daily bowl of oatmeal is the soluble fiber in this grain that can help lower blood cholesterol levels.
This unique form of fiber is able to reduce the absorption of cholesterol in your bloodstream, and current data suggests just five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber per day can help lower LDL cholesterol, which is considered to be the “bad” type that is more worrisome for your health. While the versatility of your oatmeal is endless, let’s discuss the oatmeal habits you should be practicing to help lower cholesterol.
You may be familiar with some of the benefits of eating a few servings of fruit per day, like vitamin and antioxidant content, but did you know fruit also contains fiber? Most fruit provides insoluble fiber, the type that aids in digestive regularity, and some specific fruits also contain that cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber. Pears, berries, apricots, and apples are some of the fruits that contain soluble fiber, and all are easy to add to your bowl of oats!