We always use it as a sauce but few know that it lowers high cholesterol

When we go for blood tests we are often on the ropes for what we will read from the results. One of the biggest concerns in this regard relates to excess cholesterol. It is a more common problem than one might think, but it shouldn’t be underestimated.

What we may not know is that cholesterol itself would be useful for the functioning of the body, but in the right quantities. The so-called LDL or bad cholesterol, in fact, if elevated can cause serious complications to the cardiovascular system.

Keeping cholesterol levels at bay is key to staying healthy. According to the data of the ISS (Istituto Superiore di Sanità), there are precise values ​​to be taken into consideration in order not to incur hypercholesterolemia.

In particular:

• total cholesterol should not exceed 200 mg / dl;
• HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) should be at least 50 mg / dl;
• bad cholesterol (LDL) values ​​must not exceed 100 mg / dl.

It all starts with nutrition

To regulate cholesterol levels we cannot ignore what we eat. It all starts with nutrition, combined with constant physical exercise. We say yes to legumes, cereals and obviously to fruit and vegetables, where cholesterol is almost absent. There is also space for pasta and rice and the inevitable fish, especially if grilled or baked in foil. Red and white meat is also good, as long as it is lean.

Instead, we avoid fried foods and particularly fatty ones such as butter, lard and sausages. Also watch out for cheese and milk. In the latter case we prefer the skim one.

We always use it as a sauce but few know that it lowers high cholesterol

But what is the health-friendly ingredient that fights bad cholesterol? It is nothing but mustard. We always use it as a sauce but few know that it lowers high cholesterol. Even if in this case we are not talking about the contents of the classic jar that we normally find in the supermarket.

In fact, it should be known that mustard is by nature a plant with multiple properties. The famous sauce is obtained from seeds, but here the remedy is another. As this study shows, some foods including mustard leaves help excrete bile acids that carry cholesterol in the body. To get the most benefits we should steam the leaves, including them in our recipes.