Short Answer: Cakes are bad for high cholesterol. Because they have saturated fats, trans fats, and sugar, and they can raise your LDL cholesterol and lower your HDL cholesterol.
High cholesterol is a condition that affects your blood vessels and heart.
In high cholesterol, your body has too much of a waxy substance called cholesterol in your blood.
This can lead to various health problems, such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke.
One of the key factors in managing high cholesterol is diet.
What you consume can affect your cholesterol levels, which can impact your high cholesterol symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage high cholesterol, you should consume foods rich in unsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, soluble fiber, phytosterols, and stanols, like olive oil, avocados, nuts, fatty fish, oatmeal, beans, and fortified products.
And avoid foods rich in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol, like red meat, full-fat dairy products, egg yolks, and baked goods.
Now, cakes are baked desserts that are usually made with flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and other ingredients.
People usually eat cakes as a treat or for special occasions.
Cakes are bad for high cholesterol because they contain high amounts of saturated fats, trans fats, and sugar.
These ingredients can raise your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol, and lower your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol.
One piece of cake can give you about 12 grams of fat (15% of your daily needs), 4.5 grams of saturated fat (22% of your daily needs), 0.2 grams of trans fat, 38 grams of carbohydrates (14% of your daily needs), 28 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.
Saturated fats can increase the production of cholesterol in your liver and reduce the removal of LDL cholesterol from your blood.
Trans fats can also increase LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol, as well as increase inflammation and insulin resistance.
Sugar can raise your triglycerides, another type of fat in your blood, and contribute to obesity and diabetes, which are risk factors for high cholesterol.
Furthermore, cakes are a type of refined carbohydrate and refined carbohydrates are bad for high cholesterol.
Because, they can spike your blood sugar and insulin levels, which can lead to increased cholesterol synthesis and decreased cholesterol clearance.
That’s why I suggest you limit your cake intake to prevent high cholesterol and its complications.
Stick to one small slice of cake once in a while, and choose cakes that are lower in fat and sugar, such as angel food cake or sponge cake.
To minimize the negative effects of cake, you can also pair it with some fresh fruits or nuts that are high in fiber and antioxidants.
Also, you shouldn’t eat cake if you have or are suffering from diabetes, heart disease, or obesity, to prevent worsening your condition.
Because, cake can increase your blood sugar, blood pressure, and weight, which can aggravate your symptoms and increase your risk of complications.
You can buy fresh cakes in your local bakery or can order them from online.
Always choose cakes that are made with whole grains, natural sweeteners, and healthy fats, such as olive oil or canola oil.
Because, these ingredients can help lower your cholesterol and improve your heart health.
You can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to three months.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing high cholesterol effectively.
I always recommend my high cholesterol patients to follow a cholesterol-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.