Short Answer: Cherries are good for high cholesterol. Because they have polyphenols, carotenoids, and vitamin C, and they can lower LDL cholesterol, increase HDL cholesterol, and reduce inflammation.
High cholesterol is a condition that affects your blood vessels and heart.
In high cholesterol, your body produces too much of a waxy substance called cholesterol, which can stick to the walls of your arteries and form plaques.
This can lead to various health problems, such as heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
One of the key factors in managing high cholesterol is diet.
What you consume can affect your blood cholesterol levels, which can impact your high cholesterol symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage high cholesterol, you should consume unsaturated fat rich foods like olive oil, avocados, and nuts, and avoid saturated fat and trans fat rich foods like butter, cheese, and pastries.
Now, cherries are small stone fruits that come in different colors and flavors. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
People usually eat them fresh, dried, frozen, or as juice, jam, or pie filling.
Cherries are good for high cholesterol because they contain polyphenols, carotenoids, and vitamin C, which are good ingredients.
Polyphenols are plant compounds that help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase HDL (good) cholesterol.
Carotenoids are pigments that give cherries their color and also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Vitamin C is a nutrient that helps protect your cells from damage and supports your immune system.
One cup (154 grams) of sweet, raw, pitted cherries can give you 18% of your daily vitamin C needs, 10% of your daily potassium needs, and 3 grams of fiber.
Potassium is a mineral that helps regulate your blood pressure and fluid balance.
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that helps lower your cholesterol and improve your digestion.
Furthermore, cherries are a type of fruit and fruits are good for high cholesterol.
Because, fruits are low in calories, fat, and sodium, and high in water, fiber, and antioxidants.
They can help you maintain a healthy weight, prevent constipation, and reduce inflammation.
You can eat one to two cups of cherries per day safely.
More than that can cause digestive problems, such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
Also, you shouldn’t eat cherries if you have an allergy to them or to other fruits in the same family, such as peaches, plums, and apricots.
Because, this can cause an allergic reaction, such as itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
You can buy fresh cherries in your local market or can order them online.
Always choose cherries that are firm, plump, and shiny, and avoid those that are bruised, soft, or moldy.
Because, this indicates their freshness and quality.
You can store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a year.
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 high cholesterol-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.