High cholesterol: Nutritionist reveals top prevention tips
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High cholesterol levels are mainly caused by eating food high in fat and poor lifestyle choices. Choosing the right, healthy diet and exercising more can sometimes be enough to reverse the damage. Here’s one cheap condiment that can help you achieve healthy cholesterol levels, according to a new study.
A study, carried out by Tracklements in association with Cardiff Metropolitan University, found that wholegrain mustard can be beneficial for your cholesterol.
Having only a heaped teaspoon of this condiment, which is equivalent to 10 grams, can help you achieve healthy cholesterol levels.
The evidence shows that 86 percent of participants saw “a significant drop” in their cholesterol levels over a period of 12 weeks.
The research was presented at the European Federation of Food Science and Technology.
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This new research suggests that people with high cholesterol levels can be aided by having one heaped teaspoon of wholegrain mustard each day.
The study saw a drop in blood cholesterol levels over the 12 weeks in 64 percent of its participants.
The average drop in the cholesterol level was recorded at 10 percent across the sample group.
“It indicates a promising downward trend for those at a greater risk of developing heart disease, stroke and vascular dementia,” said the study.
The 10 percent mark is the same cholesterol reduction you can see when following a low-fat diet, the research reports.
But lower cholesterol isn’t the only health benefit of wholegrain mustard.
The research also says that when eaten every day, wholegrain mustard can also help to achieve healthy blood glucose levels.
Mayo Clinic reports that normal fasting blood sugar levels should be less than 100 milligrams per decilitre.
This means that whole grain mustard could also help people who are pre-diabetic.
High blood sugar levels are the main threat posed by type 2 diabetes and have to be managed through blood sugar control.
Currently, across the UK about seven million people are believed to be pre-diabetic, according to the study.
The amount for achieving healthy blood glucose is the same as with cholesterol – 10 grams or a heaped teaspoon a day.
The health benefits of this popular condiment are dating back to ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman texts.
In fact, it’s believed that Romans brought this condiment to the UK.
There are many ways wholegrain mustard can be incorporated into your everyday routine, the study recommends using it as a condiment, extra flavour in your cooking or a dip.
To optimise your chances of lowering cholesterol, the NHS advises opting for a variety of lifestyle changes including a varied healthy diet and exercise.
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