I remember about 15 years ago talking to a holistic nutritionist who told me that the way to lower cholesterol was to reduce sugar intake. At the time I knew that reducing fat intake often had little or no affects on cholesterol levels, but I was somewhat shocked by the connection between sugar intake and cholesterol levels in the blood. Non the less, I took his advice and began instructing patients with heart disease and high cholesterol levels to reduce their simple sugar intake.
According to this article, my old friend nutritionist was right on. Researchers at the Emory University School of Medicine and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found a definite link between diets with high refined carbohydrate or sugar content and increased heart disease risks.
Food high in sugars or refined carbohydrates include not only sugar, but syrup, honey, juices, and other beverages, white flour, and refined foods.
Interesting enough, complex carbohydrates, like those found in vegetables, whole fruits (not juices), and whole grains has been shown to decrease cholesterol levels and thus reduce heart disease risks.
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