{"id":732571,"date":"2026-04-16T17:36:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T17:36:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/732571\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T17:36:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T17:36:27","slug":"discover-why-cardiologists-recommend-one-carb-for-lowering-cholesterol-levels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/732571\/","title":{"rendered":"Discover Why Cardiologists Recommend One Carb for Lowering Cholesterol Levels"},"content":{"rendered":"

The older you get, the more important it is to look after your heart. Scientific research shows<\/a> that aging is a primary, independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease<\/a>. While you can\u2019t stop the clock, there is a lot you can do to lower your risk through how you live. One particularly powerful way is to maintain healthy cholesterol levels<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cCholesterol levels reflect how your body is handling fats and inflammation<\/a> over time, which directly impacts your risk of heart disease. When it\u2019s off balance, it can damage blood vessels and impact overall health for years before symptoms show up,\u201d says Dr. Abid Husain, MD, FACC<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> an integrative cardiologist and functional medicine doctor at the Boulder Longevity Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Related: Cardiologists Are Begging People To Stop Ignoring This Important Cholesterol Number<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

As Dr. Husain explains, high cholesterol can damage blood vessels over time before you even realize it. This is why it\u2019s important to know your cholesterol numbers. The American Heart Association recommends<\/a> that adults get their cholesterol checked every five years. If your LDL cholesterol<\/a> is too high, your doctor may recommend cholesterol-lowering medication.<\/p>\n

Something everyone can benefit from is supporting their cholesterol through diet. You may already know the basics of eating for healthy cholesterol<\/a>, such as avoiding fatty meats, fried foods and soda, and eating lots of fruits and vegetables. But where do carbohydrates factor in?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to know that not all carbohydrate-based foods impact cholesterol the same way. Some foods high in carbs negatively impact it. But there\u2019s one carbohydrate-rich food that cardiologists we talked to say supports both healthy cholesterol and heart health overall.<\/p>\n

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How Carbohydrates Impact Cholesterol<\/p>\n

When talking about carbohydrates and cholesterol, it\u2019s important to know the difference between simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates<\/a>. Simple carbohydrates are foods that are broken down quickly for energy, while complex carbohydrates are digested more slowly and help provide sustained energy. You may have also heard of refined carbohydrates<\/a>, which are processed foods that have been stripped of fiber and nutrients.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot all carbohydrates affect the body the same way,\u201d explains Dr. John Conte, MD,<\/strong><\/a> a cardiac surgeon and the medical director of cardiothoracic at\u00a0XVIVO<\/a>, a medical technology company specializing in organ transplants. Dr. Conte explains that refined carbs such as sugary drinks, white bread and highly processed snacks are quickly absorbed and can shift the body\u2019s metabolism. \u201cThis ultimately raises bad cholesterol while lowering good cholesterol,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Related: Yes, Carbs Can Be Healthy! Here Are 16 of the Best Ones To Add to Your Plate, According to Nutritionists<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. Conte adds that excess sugar and refined carbs can also be converted into fat in the body. In excess, this can lead to weight gain<\/a>, which is another risk factor for cardiovascular disease. \u201cThat\u2019s why limiting highly processed carbohydrates is an important part of managing cholesterol and overall heart health<\/a>,\u201d he tells Parade.<\/p>\n

Dr. Husain explains that a diet that\u2019s high in simple carbs can increase the risk of diabetes and plaque buildup in the arteries<\/a>. But both cardiologists say that this is not the case with complex carbohydrates. \u201cComplex carbohydrates tend to have the opposite effect, largely because of their fiber content,\u201d Dr. Conte shares.<\/p>\n

Dr. Conte explains that foods like whole grains, beans and vegetables contain soluble fiber, which binds to cholesterol in the digestive tract and helps remove it from the body before it\u2019s absorbed. \u201cThis process helps lower LDL levels and supports a healthier overall lipid profile. These foods are also digested more slowly, which helps regulate blood sugar and reduce some downstream metabolic effects that can negatively impact cholesterol,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Dr. Husain also says that complex carbs support cholesterol levels, sharing, \u201cThe natural sugars don\u2019t get absorbed as quickly and don\u2019t cause as high a spike in blood sugar. The fibers help your body process fats more efficiently. This reduces the inflammation in your system.”<\/p>\n

Related: The Best Carb for Aging and Gut Health, According to Dietitians<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Carbohydrate To Eat More of To Support Your Cholesterol\"Alexandra<\/p>\n

Alexandra Lazar&sol;Getty Images<\/p>\n

Both cardiologists say that virtually all complex carbohydrates support cholesterol because they are packed with beneficial nutrients, such as fiber. Whole grains, beans, chickpeas, lentils, sweet potatoes and berries are all examples of complex carbohydrates that support heart health. But there\u2019s one carbohydrate that can be particularly beneficial that both Dr. Conte and De. Husain say many people don\u2019t eat regularly: oats<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cOats are one of the best heart-healthy carbohydrates. They\u2019re rich in soluble fiber, which helps reduce LDL cholesterol by limiting how much of it is absorbed into the bloodstream. When eaten regularly, without added sugar, oats can be an effective way to support healthier cholesterol levels,\u201d Dr. Conte says.<\/p>\n

Scientific research backs this up<\/a>, showing that eating oats regularly is associated with lowering LDL cholesterol. Researchers say that the oats\u2019 rich polyphenol (antioxidant-rich micronutrients) content also contributes to lowering cholesterol. This is in addition to oats\u2019 high fiber content. \u201cThe digestible fibers in oats have something called beta-glucans. These fibers have been repeatedly shown to have the ability to lower cholesterol in many trials. These fibers also help regulate blood sugar,\u201d Dr. Husain explains.<\/p>\n

How To Take This Cholesterol-Lowering Carb One Step Further<\/p>\n

Want to support your cholesterol even more? Dr. Husain recommends topping your oats with berries and walnuts. \u201cThe berries provide vitamins, nutrients and a little sweetness, while the walnuts have healthy omega-3 fats and a small amount of protein<\/a>,\u201d he says. Both berries <\/a>and walnuts<\/a> have also been scientifically shown to lower LDL cholesterol too.<\/p>\n

While eating oats regularly can help lower LDL cholesterol, Dr. Husain notes that it is possible to overdo it. \u201cAmount and quality of carbs matter. You can have too much of a good thing, so eat good carbs and keep it in balance with other nutrients,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Remember, there are lots of heart-healthy, cholesterol-lowering carbs you can integrate into your diet. But starting your day with a bowl of oats is certainly a great way to set a heart-healthy tone for the rest of the day.<\/p>\n

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Sources<\/p>\n