5 home drinks to help keep cholesterol in check
Doctors say green tea, lemon water, beetroot juice and other simple drinks can help control bad cholesterol alongside medicine, exercise and diet.
High cholesterol has become very common these days. Changing food habits and lack of exercise are causing bad cholesterol and triglycerides to rise in the body. The biggest problem is that a rise often goes unnoticed, since there are no clear symptoms. But if cholesterol stays elevated for a long time, the risk of heart attack and stroke increases significantly, and blood vessels can get blocked. Taking prescribed medicine, exercising a little every day and eating right are therefore important. Along with this, there are a few simple drinks that can be made at home and can help keep cholesterol in check.
The easiest option is green tea, which most people will have heard of. It is rich in antioxidants. It helps reduce bad cholesterol in the body and also reduces inflammation. Drinking 1 or 2 cups of green tea every morning and evening keeps the heart healthy. Replacing tea or coffee with green tea is quite beneficial.
The second option is drinking lemon water first thing in the morning. Lemon is very high in vitamin C, which helps the body digest fat. The liver works to control cholesterol, and lemon water helps the liver function well. So make it a habit to squeeze lemon into lukewarm water every morning and drink it. This also keeps the stomach clean and helps control cholesterol. There is no cost involved either, it is a purely home remedy.
The third option is beetroot juice, which works to open up blood vessels. Beetroot contains a substance called nitrates, which keeps blood vessels relaxed and improves blood flow. Drinking beetroot juice helps reduce both triglycerides and bad cholesterol. The taste may feel a bit different, but drinking it 3 to 4 times a week is quite beneficial. It is considered the number one drink for the heart.
The fourth remedy may come as a surprise, but tea made from hibiscus flowers is very good for the heart. These flowers contain substances that keep blood vessels healthy. In addition, this tea also helps control blood pressure in those who have high BP. Hibiscus flowers are easily available and can be dried to make tea.
The fifth option is oat water or an oats drink. Oats contain a fibre called beta-glucan. This fibre binds to cholesterol in the stomach and prevents it from entering the body, which naturally lowers cholesterol. Oats can be soaked in water and the water drunk, or an oats smoothie can be made. Having oats for breakfast every day also helps reduce cholesterol and triglycerides.
It is also important to remember that while these drinks are beneficial, this does not mean medicines should be stopped. Continue medicines prescribed by a doctor, follow these remedies alongside them, walk for 30 minutes daily and cut down on oily food. Doing this will help keep cholesterol under control and the heart safe.
