People with high cholesterol should avoid 3 drinks that can worsen symptoms (Image: Getty)
High cholesterol can wreak havoc on your heart by clogging arteries with fatty deposits, and it’s not just food that can worsen the symptoms. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that naturally occurs in the liver and is also present in food and drink.
High-fat foods and processed beverages are two common culprits of high cholesterol, with everything from fizzy drinks to potent alcohol known to boost lipoprotein levels.
While lipoproteins are crucial for healthy development, an excess of ‘bad’ cholesterol, or low-density lipoproteins (LDL), can block the heart’s blood supply when allowed to accumulate.
A balanced diet and active lifestyle can maintain moderate levels of both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol in the body, but as Christmas looms, sugary drinks and rich food can quickly supplant healthier habits.
Due to their concentrated sugar content, sugary beverages like sweet, fizzy soda and processed fruit juices can heighten the risk of developing higher levels of unhealthy fats. However, the British Heart Foundation says the “healthy alternatives” are also problematic.
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Alcohol, fizzy drinks and fruit juices are among the worst cholesterol-raising culprits (Image: Getty)
Fruit juice
Healthline, a medically endorsed website, revealed that consumers of sweet fizzy drinks and processed fruit juices face a 53 percent increased risk of high triglycerides compared to those who seldom indulge.
Excessive sugar consumption is a known culprit in escalating the likelihood of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heightened cholesterol levels, all potential precursors to deadly cardiac conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.
As for fruit juice, nothing compares to eating whole fruit, says the BHF. The British Heart Foundation urged: “Stick to 150mls, and a glass of pure, unsweetened juice can count as one of your five daily. But be aware that even though fruit juice will come with vitamins, it also contains free sugars – two to three tsp in a small glass.”
A small 150ml glass of orange juice contains the equivalent of three oranges but without the fibre, that would help you feel full if you were to eat them whole.
Adding sugar to tea and coffee can amount to a concerning daily sugar intake (Image: Getty)
Sugar-free drinks
Drinks marketed as low or no calorie and “sugar-free” aren’t free from nasties that can hurt your health.
The BHF claimed that these drinks contain artificial sweeteners, which provide a sweet taste but won’t affect blood sugar levels, which is good for people with diabetes.
However, dietician Victoria Taylor, a registered dietitian with over 10 years of experience in weight management and community programmes for preventing cardiovascular disease, says they’re not a foolproof solution.
She said: “They [artificial sweeteners] might help you cut back on sugar, for example, in tea or fizzy drinks. But, ultimately, you need to reduce the total sweetness of your diet if you want to readjust your tastes in the long term.”
Data from the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study involving over 80,000 women indicates a startling 31 percent surge in the risk of ischaemic stroke among those consuming more than two ‘diet’ beverages daily.
Alcohol
Alcohol, however, poses an even greater threat to cholesterol management due to its liver processing; it’s twice as harmful as sugary or caffeinated drinks. The BHF explains: “When you drink alcohol, it’s broken down and rebuilt into triglycerides and cholesterol in the liver.”
They add, “If your triglyceride levels become too high, they can build up in the liver, causing fatty liver disease.” This condition impairs the liver’s ability to function optimally and to cleanse cholesterol from the blood, leading to increased cholesterol levels.
Moreover, frequent alcohol intake, which should be capped at 14 units weekly, is associated with weight gain, hypertension, and certain cancers.
