After all, these 3 processed “even good for cholesterol”

A try reduce cholesterol levels? So forget (almost) all that you were told about processed foods.

When talking about cholesterol, food is tended to be one of the factors that can influence these levels and, although processed foods are often associated with less healthy choices, there are products that, depending on their composition, can integrate a balanced diet and contribute to cardiovascular health.

If you don't overdo the amounts, according to doctors at Very Well Health, there are five processed foods that “even are good for cholesterol”.

However, it should also be borne in mind that in the case of canned foods, it is advisable to choose versions with less salt and, where possible, to run them well.

Canned beans

Don't underestimate the power of beans! Despite its small size, this food is rich in nutrients that can help reduce cholesterol.

Because it is a “good source of protein”, it can also be consumed instead of some red or processed meats, which can increase cholesterol levels. 

“ Although your body needs a little cholesterol to perform certain functions, excess can cause accumulation of cholesterol in the walls of the arteries, which translates into a reduction in blood flow,” they explain.

Frozen fruit and vegetables

Although frozen fruits and vegetables are considered processed foods, they keep nutritional profiles “more accessible than fresh options”.

“Fibre, sterols plant, and stanols plant found in certain fruits and vegetables is considered a help to reduce cholesterol levels,” they suggest.

In addition to helping the body “to expel cholesterol, the fiber also increases the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the colon, which can block the synthesis of new cholesterol in your body,” they add.

Oats

Oats is a grain considered minimally processed when consumed raw, however, when compared to other whole grains, oats is “a more concentrated source of nutrients that reduce cholesterol, including antioxidants and soluble fibers”, say these experts and emphasize the benefits of beta-glucan, which allows oats to “form a thick gel in the intestines and inhibit cholesterol absorption, which leads to increased cholesterol expulsion”