High cholesterol describes too much of a fatty substance in your blood. This condition can be hard to spot due to the lack of its warning signs. Symptoms are more likely to appear once the condition progresses. But the fatty substance can wreak havoc in your arteries, consequently leading to heart attack or stroke.
There are two types of cholesterol – “good” and “bad”, the NHS explains.
“Bad” cholesterol, also known as LDL cholesterol, is the problematic one leading to heart problems or strokes.
But not all cholesterol is harmful, the good version of the fatty substance can even cut the levels of its counterpart.
One cheap food that can help get rid of the harmful cholesterol is grapes, according to a study published in the journal Nutrients.
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Apart from vitamins and minerals, grapes house a rich amount of polyphenols – plant compounds – and fibre.
The new study wanted to determine the effects of daily consumption of 46 grams of whole grape powder on high cholesterol.
This amount is the equivalent of two servings of California table grapes.
The study looked at 19 adults, who started the trial by eating four-weeks of a low-polyphenol diet.
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The study also found that the powder increased gut bacteria diversity.
Specifically, the type associated with glucose regulation and breakdown of fatty acids.
Gut health doesn’t only impact what goes around in your belly but also your immune system, experts report.
The bottom line is that grape powder can “significantly” alter the gut microbiome and cholesterol metabolism, the study concludes.
However, one thing to point out is that the study only looked at a small number of adults who were all healthy.
