These coconut lime energy bites are the perfect bite-size treats packed with nutrition and flavor. Some may argue that these energy bites, which are almost like little protein bars, are actually desserts in disguise. Made with creamy raw cashews, sweet Medjool dates, desiccated coconut, and fresh lime zest, these energy bites have a well-balanced flavor. There isn’t an ingredient that is more powerful than another one.

The cashews provide healthy fats and protein, while dates add natural sweetness and fiber. To maintain a mild connection to coconut within the actual bites, you incorporate some of the desiccated coconut into the blending process. Once you finish forming the bites and place them in the freezer to set for a bit, you can roll them in the remaining desiccated coconut. If you are not the biggest fan of coconut, you can omit that final step. The desiccated coconut, however, enhances the tropical taste and provides additional healthy fats. Although the lime juice and zest may seem like odd additions to these bites, they actually energize the palate with a light citrusy kick. Consider the following benefits when you think about making them:

• Rich in healthy fats: Cashews and coconut contribute monounsaturated fats, which work to support heart health.
• Natural energy boost: The combination of dates and healthy fats helps provide sustained energy, so you can stay full between meals.
• Antioxidant properties: Lime zest is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, both of which work to optimize immune function.
• Low in added sugars: Made with natural ingredients, these bites are a wholesome alternative to processed snacks.

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You have probably come across a recipe (or 10) that you absolutely love, but you are missing one or two ingredients. Maybe the recipe has a less-than-optimal ingredient, so you go on the hunt for a healthier substitute. Typically, that unhealthy ingredient is vegetable oil, but most people don’t know that that is even unhealthy. 

Why is it that so many people consider vegetable oil a healthy ingredient? Well, many people see words like “cholesterol-free” or “heart healthy” on the label. Unfortunately, vegetable oil tends to be highly processed and lacking in nutrients. On the other side of the coin, it is highly versatile, which is why you see it as an ingredient in salad dressings, baked goods, or general cooking recipes. 

Unlike actual vegetables, vegetable oils are not nutrient-dense whole foods. Canola, corn, soy, sunflower, and safflower oils are highly inflammatory because they are rich in pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6s are not as chemically stable as other fats and they break down easily when exposed to light, heat, or oxygen. By the time these vegetable oils make it to your kitchen, the omega-6s have already been oxidized, and oxidized fats contribute to inflammation in the body. 

The Best Substitutes For Vegetable Oil For Salad Dressings

Make your salad dressings taste better and skip the extra additives and fillers when you replace vegetable oils with healthier options. You need a quality oil to pair with an acidic component, such as vinegar or lemon juice, for a great salad dressing. The following oils not only add better flavor to your dressings, but they also offer more health benefits. 

Pumpkin Seed Oil

Pumpkin seed oil exhibits a slightly nutty flavor profile, which is reminiscent of walnut or hazelnut oils. That makes it an excellent choice for salads, but you can also incorporate it into dessert recipes. Pumpkin seed oil also supports cardiovascular function. 

Flaxseed Oil

Need a boost of omega-3 fatty acids? Make flaxseed oil your next oil choice when making a salad dressing. Omega-3s have been linked to better brain and heart function! You can also use flaxseed oil as a topping for pasta dishes, but don’t incorporate it into the cooking process or it may impart an unpleasant flavor. 

The Best Substitutes For Vegetable Oil In Baked Goods

Need a healthier substitute for vegetable oil in your baking recipes? You don’t even have to use other oils! For example, you can use the following:

Applesauce

Applesauce is the way to go if you want to infuse your baked goods with more fiber and phytonutrients. This is a simple enough swap that works in everything from muffins to pancakes and beyond. Make sure to do your research about the ratio for how much applesauce to use when you sub it for vegetable oil. 

Mashed Bananas

Mashed bananas are not only great for banana bread, although they do make that bread 100% delicious. Bananas work as a vegetable substitute in almost any baked good and may help you reduce the sugar content in the recipe as well, due to their natural sweetness. Mashed bananas will add moisture to baked goods without vegetable oil, and the added fats may replace the need for excess sugar. 

The Best Substitutes For Vegetable Oil When Cooking

Vegetable oil is a neutral oil, meaning it doesn’t impart its flavor into whatever you are cooking. Other healthier oils, such as olive and avocado oils, may have stronger flavors that enhance what you’re cooking. 

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

One of the most popular swaps for vegetable oil is extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). Cold-pressed EVOO is the optimal choice and has powerful heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory effects. There is some debate about cooking with olive oil at high temperatures, so stick with low or medium temps for cold-pressed EVOO. 

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is a great oil to cook with because it has a high smoke point. For this reason, you can use it with all sorts of dishes and preparations. Avocado oil also has high levels of lutein and oleic acid, both of which benefit heart and eye function. 

Sesame Oil

Typically used as a flavoring oil, sesame oil offers a unique nuttiness. In the right recipe, sesame oil can be a great replacement for vegetable oil. Just be mindful of the strong flavor. It can be a great oil to use on broccoli or green beans in the air fryer. Plus, it is naturally rich in an assortment of antioxidants.

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Unless you’re trying to get rid of cold or flu symptoms, zinc is probably not the first nutrient on your mind. Zinc is more than a mineral that can help you recover from the common cold or other illnesses. It is an essential mineral that you should consume in small amounts every day. The reason for that is because the body cannot produce or store it, so consuming zinc daily can contribute to overall health and wellness. Read on to learn about the top five health benefits of zinc. 

The body needs zinc for various processes in the body. Behind iron, zinc is the second-most abundant mineral in the body. Zinc is involved with immune function, DNA synthesis, gene expression, growth and development, protein synthesis, wound healing, and enzymatic reactions. Zinc exists in a wide variety of plant and animal foods, but it is also available in supplement form. Because of its role in immune function, zinc is often included in lozenges, cold medication, and other cold treatments. Should you want to start supplementing with zinc, consider speaking with your healthcare provider to determine the right dosage.

It Contributes To Healthy Immune Function

Zinc works to control inflammation and prevent elevated inflammatory responses, including the release of cytokines. It aids the body during an immune response, but it also helps it return to homeostasis, the state of equilibrium between interdependent elements. According to research, zinc may help with the development of immune cells and interfere with the molecular process that causes mucus and bacteria to accumulate in nasal passages. A 2020 review of clinical trials found that when healthy adults with cold symptoms took zinc supplements, the duration of symptoms was significantly reduced by about 2.25 days. 

May Reduce The Risk Of Certain Age-Related Illnesses

Pneumonia, infection, and age-related macular degeneration are all examples of age-related illnesses. Researchers believe that zinc may reduce your chances of developing these types of illnesses. Older studies confirmed that older adults who supplemented with zinc improved influenza vaccination response. They also experienced a boost in mental performance and a reduced risk of pneumonia. A study from 2007 determined that taking 45 milligrams (mg) of elemental zinc per day may decrease the risk of infection in older adults by 66%. Additionally, other research confirmed that taking 80 mg of zinc per day, alongside vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta-carotene, decreased vision loss. 

It Helps Maintain Heart Health

The body needs zinc to maintain healthy cells within the cardiovascular system. Zinc also works to lower inflammation and reduce the risk of oxidative stress. The endothelium, the thin layer of cells that lines blood vessels, is slightly reliant on adequate intake of zinc. Zinc also assists the heart by supporting optimal circulation. Researchers note that zinc may aid with high blood pressure and cholesterol levels from damages or clogged arteries. One meta-analysis determined that adults with heart failure had lower levels of zinc than people with healthier hearts. 

May Help Treat Acne

According to several studies, people with acne tend to have lower levels of zinc than those with clearer skin. Acne, a common skin disorder, affects about 9.4% of the global population. It is most common in teens, but it can affect adults as well. It is driven by the obstruction of oil-producing glands, inflammation, and bacteria. Various studies suggest that both oral and topical zinc treatments can effectively treat acne by inhibiting the growth of P. acnes bacteria. Zinc also works to suppress oil gland activity and reduce inflammation on the skin.

It Helps With Muscle Growth And Repair

Zinc is involved in normal cell growth and division, which means that it assists muscle growth and repair. How does it do this? Well, it makes it possible for the body to heal itself and maintain strength in the body’s muscular and skeletal systems. Zinc also works to promote the growth of muscle mass by increasing the amount of testosterone the body is able to produce post-exercise. This is especially true after a session of weight training or high-intensity interval training. Regarding testosterone, zinc aids with the body’s release of that hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), both of which are necessary for muscle mass and metabolism.

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These raw vegan fudge pops are similar to a chocolate avocado smoothie or pudding, in that the avocado is completely undetectable. It flies under the radar of your taste buds and all you taste is chocolatey deliciousness. They are easy to whip up and magical once frozen. With warmer weather gracing us, there has never been a better time to make these pops. Perfect for a backyard barbecue, movie night, or children’s birthday party!

The last thing you want to do is use unripe avocados to make these fudge pops. Not only will your pops not be creamy, but they will also have a slightly bitter flavor, which you do not want from a dessert. Make sure your avocados are ripe and quite soft to the touch, but you don’t want them overripe either. Blend the avocados with the rest of the ingredients until completely smooth. Once the mixture is smooth, you can poor it into the popsicle mold. Cover the mold with the lid and insert the popsicle sticks, or you can use the sticks that come with the mold if you have that type of mold.

If you are not the biggest avocado fan and want to start eating more of them, this is a great entry point because you cannot taste it. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, avocados work to benefit heart health by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. They also contain a variety of B vitamins, including thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), and niacin (B3), all of which help the body convert food into energy. Niacin, specifically, can fight inflammation and protect arterial health by improving triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

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The beginning of the year is a common time to adopt new habits and make big life changes. Spring also marks a time of starting fresh, as flowers bloom and temperatures rise. There is a big push for a lot of people to freshen up the home and surrounding environment. Not only does spring cleaning create a more visually appealing space, but it also brings some notable health benefits for the body and mind. 

Mental health experts note that people with less clutter in the livers report higher psychological well-being. They may also express more happiness being in their own space. Additionally, people with respiratory problems, such as allergies or asthma, may find symptom relief after deep cleaning their indoor space. 

Now, spring cleaning should not be viewed as a chore, even though it technically is. Focus on the mental and physical health benefits that spring cleaning can provide and you’ll be scrubbing the floors in no time. Continue reading to learn about five possible health benefits of spring cleaning. 

May Enhance Productivity

One study found that people with cluttered office spaces experienced higher rates of emotional exhaustion, indecision, and job-related tension than those with less clutter. They also reported lower rates of job satisfaction and were not as efficient at time management. All of these factors contributed to poor overall job performance. Basically, cleaning your home or office desk may help clear your head and contribute to better workflow. Additionally, you may experience a boost in productivity, especially if you work from home. 

Potentially Minimize Allergies

Allergic to dust, pollen, dander, or other allergens? A deep spring clean may help reduce the severity (or completely get rid of) your allergy symptoms. If you are allergic to anything inside your home, such as pet dander or dust mites, spring cleaning may benefit your nose, eyes, and chest. According to health experts, removing indoor allergens from the home can reduce the signs and symptoms of allergic rhino-conjunctivitis. Such symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and general congestion. Use a vacuum with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to remove allergens as you clean. You can also use an indoor air purifier to help improve air quality in the home. 

May Boost Your Mood

Do you ever feel a sense of pride and mood elevation when you clean up your space? Well, researchers have observed that spring cleaning is a helpful strategy to improve overall mental wellness. One study found that people with less clutter in their homes reported a higher sense of well-being than those with more clutter. Additionally, other research indicates that more clutter in the home causes higher levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), especially in women. The reason for this is because clutter can cause distress or impairment in a person’s life. Getting rid of items that no longer serve a purpose can help bring about a greater sense of self. 

May Promote Heart Health And Longevity

Spring cleaning, or any cleaning for that matter, is a form of light exercise. It gets your heart pumping and helps you burn some calories. In fact, the American Heart Association (AHA) even recommends spring cleaning as a way to get active and boost heart health. By improving heart health, you could positively affect your longevity as well. An earlier study found that housework was one of the many daily activities that contributed to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. The only thing that would get in the way of cardiovascular benefits is using extremely harmful chemical cleaners. You can easily avoid this by using all-natural DIY cleaning products. 

May Improve Asthma Symptoms

The birds are singing and the flowers are in bloom, but people with asthma may dread this time of year. Flower plants and pollen can worsen asthma symptoms, but not all allergens exist outside. You can easily encounter asthma triggers in your home, but spring cleaning can help you keep your home allergen-free, potentially curbing your symptoms. Researchers note that spring cleaning can help remove cockroach allergens, dust mites, and pet dander in your home. Removing such allergens, if allergic, will help relieve any respiratory irritation or symptoms. Finally, consider wearing a mask while cleaning to help you avoid inhaling large amounts of allergens while cleaning.

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Everyone could use some more healthy fats in their life. Enter avocado into the equation, but fear not because this is not guacamole in dessert form. This is a splendid citrusy dessert that tastes like a healthier version of key lime pie (just without the pie crust and whipped cream). This recipe is actually akin to chocolate avocado pudding. If you have tried that, you know that the avocado flies under the radar of your taste buds. The avocado is simply an ingredient that enhances creaminess.

This avocado mousse does resemble a velvety smooth guacamole, but that’s only because of the color. Once you get over that hurdle, you unlock a whole new world of flavor. The lime juice and zest provides that tart flavor, which is mellowed by the creamy avocado and sweet raw agave nectar. Don’t have agave on hand? Feel free to use grade A or “pure” maple syrup. The flavor may change slightly because of the maple syrup, but it will not alter the texture of the mousse. As long as you blend the ingredients thoroughly, the mousse will have a creamy texture. If you want to really get fancy with it, feel free to bust out an electric hand mixer and whip the blended mixture.

A quick word about avocados: they contain a wide variety of nutrients and may help prevent bone loss, improve heart health, and boost digestion. They provide a substantial amount of monounsaturated fatty acids, which can help you feel fuller between meals. Eating healthy fats can help slow the breakdown of carbohydrates, which helps regulate blood sugar levels.

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Who doesn’t love a good snack? It’s so easy to open up a bag of chips and just start eating handful after handful. The same can be said for a bucket of popcorn. Unfortunately, we all know that these snacks are empty calories and only leave us wanting more. Plus, the sodium content is through the roof! The good news is that it’s possible to enjoy a crunchy snack in a healthy way.

That’s right, folks, we are talking about kale chips. These crunchy creations are not only addictively delicious, but also highly nutritious. Closely related to cabbage, broccoli, collard greens, and cauliflower, kale offers an assortment of nutrients, including vitamins, A, B6, C, & K, manganese, magnesium, riboflavin, folate, fiber, calcium, and other important plant compounds. The antioxidants in kale include quercetin and kaempferol, both of which are present in large amounts in kale. According to test-tube and animal studies, these compounds work to support heart health, reduce inflammation, slow the growth of cancer cells, and protect against chronic diseases.

What separates these kale chips from the next batch is that you dehydrate them after covering them in a creamy cashew cheese sauce. Because of that, the kale takes a lot longer to get crispy. You will need about 12 hours of dehydration in order to yield a crispy, cheesy kale chip. Before you sauce the kale in cashew cheese sauce, make sure to massage it with sea salt and lemon juice. Once the leaves are coated, you can toss them in the cashew sauce before placing them on dehydrator sheets. Don’t overlap the kale pieces or else they won’t get crispy.

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Omega-3 fatty acids, commonly referred to as omega-3s, are healthy fats that have powerful antioxidant effects in the body. According to research studies, omega-3s work to benefit everything from brain health and immunity to heart function. Even though these foods are essential for overall health, close to 90% of Americans do not meet the recommended daily intake of omega-3s. That is even true for people who eat fish on a weekly basis!

What Are Omega-3s?

First off, there are two main types of fatty acids: saturated and unsaturated. Unsaturated fat breaks down into polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, which are terms you commonly see on nutrition facts labels. These chain-like molecules are made up of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms. Carbon atoms form the foundation of the chain and oxygen and hydrogen atoms latch onto available slots.

A monounsaturated fat has one open slot, while a polyunsaturated fat has more than one open slot. Contrarily, saturated fat has no open slots and is typically referred to as “bad” or “unhealthy.” The reason saturated fats are labeled as such is because they increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Unsaturated fats, such as omega-3s, are healthy because they support the heart and brain and may reduce inflammation within the body. 

Because the body cannot produce a sufficient amount of omega-3s necessary for its own survival, you have to obtain them from the foods you eat. The specific types of omega-3s include DHA and EPA, which you can find in seafood, and ALA, which exists in plants. Great foods to increase your omega-3 consumption include mackerel, salmon, and other fatty fish, or flaxseed, chia seeds, avocados, walnuts, and other plant-based foods. Failure to eat these foods may yield a few signs that indicate low omega-3 levels. Continue reading to learn more.

Low Mood

Your mood is closely tied to the health of your brain, which oversees serotonin and dopamine, two feel-good hormones. Researchers are not exactly clear how omega-3s like EPA and DHA influence how the body uses and responds to those hormones. What the research does say, however, is that low levels of omega-3s can compromise a person’s mental health. Taking an omega-3 supplement, such as the Dherbs Omega 3 Formula, may assist in elevating your mood and outlook.

Dry And Tired Eyes

Staring at screens all day is a great way to fatigue your eyes. If your eyes are particularly parched, though, you may be low in omega-3s. Both EPA and DHA help ensure that the cells in the retina function optimally. According to research, omega-3s help the eyes combat oxidative stress, so don’t believe that carrots are the only vegetable beneficial for eye health.

Dry Or Irritated Skin

There are numerous causes for dry, scaly, red, or irritated skin. If you use cleansers, lotions, serums, and body butters to improve the skin quality and nothing calms irritated skin, you may need to increase your omega-3 intake. According to researchers, omega-3s support the skin barrier, helping to seal in moisture and keep environmental pollutants out. Additional research shows that increasing your intake of omega-3s, especially through supplements, can help improve the texture, tone, and overall appearance of skin. 

Brain Fog

Both EPA and DHA contribute to the structure of cell membranes in the brain, in addition to aiding the communication between cells. One study involving 176 adults with low omega-3 intake found that supplementing with 1.16 grams of DHA daily for six months was able to improve episodic and working memory when compared to the placebo group. Feeling a little sluggish and unclear mentally? Improve concentration and find a clearing in the fog by increasing your omega-3 intake.

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In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death. People of most racial and ethnic groups in the country are more likely to die from heart disease than other health conditions. You may know these statistics, but do not have a clear direction on what you can do to improve overall heart health. If you feel like that describes you, you are not alone. The good news is that you do not need to become a triathlete or make drastic dietary changes to do so. A few simple tweaks can have long-lasting effects. 

One of the easiest things you can do for your diet is eliminate, or strictly limit, your consumption of foods that are hard on your heart. Cardiologists and nutritionists encourage you to eliminate the following foods from your diet as soon as possible if you want to experience better heart health and function.

White Bread

When nutritionists talk about white bread, they are usually referring to Wonder Bread or similar products that you find in the grocery story. White bread has a high glycemic index and lacks the nutrients and fiber that you can commonly find in whole grain breads. Consumption of white bread can lead to insulin resistance, rapid blood sugar spikes, and weight gain, all of which increase the risk of heart disease. 

Refined carbohydrates increase the amount of circulating glucose and triglyceride levels in the blood. White bread does not contain healthy fiber, so you are left with pure sugar. When buying bread, though, do not just assume that wheat or whole grain options are automatically healthier options. Make sure to look at the ingredient list and read it thoroughly! When you look at the ingredients, you only want to see a short list, and you should recognize what they are. 

Bacon

Bacon occupies a special place in the hearts of many, but experts agree that you should save bacon for special occasions (or eliminate it entirely) if you want to care for your heart. The processing of bacon can lead to adverse health effects on the heart, according to nutritionists. Bacon goes through a curing process with sodium nitrite, giving it a high sodium content that contributes to higher blood pressure. Additionally, the compounds that form when you cook bacon, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic amines (HCAs), lead to inflammation. These compounds can also damage blood vessels, which increases the risk of heart disease. 

Bacon is not the biggest offender, as many processed deli meats and red meats can also put strain on the heart. People who include a lot of red meat, especially processed meats, in their diets have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and mortality. The ingredients used to make those foods include sodium and nitrites. Bacon is rich in salt, cholesterol, saturated fat, heme iron, and HCAs, so avoid it if you can, and that goes for turkey bacon as well.

French Fries

Who doesn’t love a crispy French fry? Well, it is difficult to just eat one, so you probably end up eating five at a time. Unfortunately, enjoying handfuls of French fries is not conducive to heart health. The nutritional content of food changes when you fry it. Food loses water and absorbs fat, especially in the case of fries. Additionally, French fries are heavily seasoned with salt, and high sodium intake can increase the risk of high blood pressure. 

Researchers note that the regular consumption of fried food has been linked to an increase in obesity and coronary heart disease. That is primarily due to the high amounts of sodium, trans fats, and saturated fats. 

What Should You Eat Instead?

Now that you know which foods to avoid, you need to know which foods help enhance heart function. Nutritionists recommend that you increase your consumption of legumes, including lentils, chickpeas, and beans. The reason for that is because legumes contain a lot of fiber and help promote feelings of fullness. You can also make them in bulk!

If you can include flax seeds, chia seeds, and almonds in your diet, you should start doing that. All of those foods contain lignans, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity that support heart health by reducing oxidative stress. These compounds also work with other nutrients, including vitamin E, magnesium, and alpha-linolenic acid, to help improve cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and vascular health. You can also consume quinoa because it has been known to lower LDL cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

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How often do you notice products, such as bran cereal, that have big “heart-healthy” branding on the boxes? Some of that branding may include phrases like “helps lower cholesterol,” or something along those lines. The reason for that is because these cereals contain a certain amount of fiber per serving. Since eating more fiber is one of the best, science-backed ways to reduce cholesterol and improve heart health, eating that cereal must be healthy. Well, part of that explanation is correct. 

According to health experts, less than 5% of Americans consume the recommended daily intake (RDI) of fiber. Additionally, about 86 million American adults have borderline high cholesterol levels (total cholesterol over 200 mg/hdL). Generally speaking, the average adult should consume 25 to 38 grams of fiber per day. How can meeting those daily fiber goals help lower cholesterol? Continue reading to find out. 

How Does Fiber Lower Cholesterol?

Fiber is a complex carbohydrate that the body cannot digest. Because of that, fiber passes through the digestive tract without really being broken down. Although there are two types of fiber (soluble and insoluble), soluble fiber is the type that works to lower total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol. It does that by:

• Forming a gel-like substance in the intestinal tract that works to attract and trap cholesterol particles. That helps prevent those particles from being absorbed into the bloodstream. 
• Binding to bile acids in the intestines, which release bile acids to help digest fat. They also contain some cholesterol, so once they have completed digestive duties, the body usually reabsorbs them for later use. When fiber is present in the intestines, bile acids are excreted along with the cholesterol. At that point, the body uses less circulating cholesterol to make new bile acids, which ultimately decreases the amount of cholesterol in your blood.
• Gut bacteria feed on and ferment prebiotic soluble fibers. This fermentation process produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which decrease cholesterol synthesis in the liver, helping to lower cholesterol levels in the bloodstream.

How Much Fiber Do You Need To Eat?

As stated earlier, the general recommendation for fiber intake is 25 to 38 grams per day. Most adults hover around 16 grams per day, but focusing on fiber is not enough to reduce cholesterol. Health experts encourage increasing your intake of soluble fiber. Research indicates that regularly consuming soluble fiber can help reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels by 5-10%. Eating two to 10 grams of soluble fiber per day is what causes these significant decreases in cholesterol. Aiming for the higher end of that range will only benefit your heart health. 

Foods That Are Rich In Soluble Fiber

Most fibrous foods do not contain as much solute fiber as you think. High-fiber foods, including vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fruits, nuts, and seeds, contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. The following list breaks down the soluble fiber content of the various foods:

• Beans: One-half cup of cooked black beans, kidney beans, or lentils offers one to three grams of soluble fiber
• Oats: One cup of cooked oats contains one to two grams of soluble fiber
• Brussels sprouts: One-half cup of cooked Brussels sprouts contains two grams of soluble fiber
• Fruits: One medium orange, pear, or apple contains one to two grams of soluble fiber
• Barley: A little less than one-quarter cup of cooked barley contains two grams of soluble fiber

What About Supplements?

If you require targeted support for fiber intake, you may want to consider a fiber supplement. Guar beans, inulin, psyllium husk, and beta-glucans are all forms of soluble fiber in fiber supplements. All of these forms of fiber have proven to lower cholesterol in clinical studies. A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis found that each five-gram intake of soluble fiber was able to reduce LDL cholesterol by 5.6%. 

Eating more soluble fiber is one of the best things you can do for your overall cholesterol. Try to consume 10 grams of soluble fiber every day for the best cholesterol-lowering results. Decreasing stubborn LDL cholesterol isn’t easy, but soluble fiber can help!

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