A budget-friendly fruit priced at just 95p could be beneficial in reducing cholesterol levels within a month. Health experts suggest incorporating aubergine into your diet for its positive impact on health.
High cholesterol levels indicate an excess of a fatty substance known as cholesterol in the bloodstream. While not an immediate cause for concern, prolonged elevation can lead to complications such as arterial stiffness and narrowing, increasing the risk of heart and cerebrovascular diseases.
Dietary choices play a crucial role in managing cholesterol, as certain foods high in saturated fats are known to raise cholesterol levels, while others may have the opposite effect.
Despite being commonly treated as a vegetable, aubergines, also known as eggplants, are botanically classified as fruits. Cheryl Lythgoe, a matron at Benenden Health, highlighted to Express.co.uk: “Aubergines are a delicious vegetable that can easily be incorporated into many of our favorite dishes.
“This vegetable contains antioxidants that may help reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol levels. Additionally, it is a rich source of fiber and essential nutrients that can enhance the immune system and brain function.”
This recommendation is supported by Heart UK, a cardiovascular health charity, which endorses the fruit due to its fiber content. The charity states, “It inhibits the absorption of some cholesterol from the intestines into the bloodstream.”
A study published in the journal of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology revealed that the consumption of aubergines led to a reduction in cholesterol levels in rabbits within just four weeks. In the study, rabbits were divided into three groups.
Two groups were fed a diet supplemented with cholesterol and coconut oil for four weeks, with one of these groups receiving 10 ml of aubergine juice daily during the last two weeks. The researchers noted: “After four weeks, the rabbits in the E group showed significantly lower weight, plasma cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride, and aortic cholesterol levels compared to group H.”
The researchers further stated: “In rabbits with high cholesterol levels, eggplant juice notably reduced weight, plasma cholesterol levels, aortic cholesterol content, and concentrations of MDA in native-oxidized LDL and in the arterial wall, while enhancing endothelium-dependent relaxations.”
Medical advice suggests that a healthy total cholesterol level should typically be five millimoles per liter (mmol/l) or below.
Specifically, high-density lipoprotein should be one mmol/l or higher, and low-density lipoprotein should remain at four mmol/l or lower. Consult your doctor for a blood test to determine if your cholesterol is elevated.
Elevated cholesterol levels can also be linked to insufficient physical activity, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption. Cheryl advised, “Maintain a balanced diet rich in a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and low-fat foods (especially those free of saturated or trans fats).