As we age, our cholesterol levels tend to go down the toilet and up the drain. According to research, as much as a third of Americans have high cholesterol, a condition that is often hard to control. When our cholesterol levels drop, so does our risk of heart disease and a variety of other illnesses. All of that is bad news, but there is good news too. In fact, drinking about a cup of cider vinegar a day can help lower your cholesterol and most other fat-related health risks.

Cider vinegar is a by-product of apples. It has a high concentration of acetic acid, which is a natural preservative found in apples. In fact, cider vinegar has up to 10 times more acetic acid than wine. Check out how adding apple cider vinegar to your everyday eating habits can help lower your cholesterol and other fat-related health risks.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in our bodies, mostly in our blood and liver. It helps create the compounds that are necessary for our bodies to work properly. Cholesterol is necessary for the body to build and maintain internal organs such as the brain, the muscles, the skin, and the gut.

Cholesterol levels are very important, but they shouldn’t be overblown. After all, too much cholesterol can be harmful and may lead to heart disease. The recommended daily amount of cholesterol for an average adult is 200 milligrams (mg) for men and 300 mg for women.

Cholesterol is Good for You

One of the things that makes cholesterol good for you is that it is an essential part of our cellular structure. When cholesterol is manufactured in our bodies, it is put into our cells where it helps to protect our bodies from damage.

Some studies have even shown that people with higher cholesterol levels have a lower risk of developing cancer. What’s more, research has also shown that consuming moderate amounts of certain foods that have high amounts of cholesterol, such as avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil can actually improve your cholesterol.

What to Eat to Lower Cholesterol?

Here are 6 foods that have been proven to lower cholesterol naturally. Try adding one or two of these foods to your everyday eating habits for better heart health:

– Eggs

– Salmon

– Nuts

– Soybeans

– Broccoli

– Mustard

– Other foods

The Good News About Apple Cider vinegar

When researchers compared the effects of drinking two different beverages, they found that drinking a cup of apple cider vinegar as opposed to drinking a glass of water had a powerful effect on lowering cholesterol.

First, the acid in the vinegar actually breaks down the cholesterol in your blood. As the cholesterol in your blood is broken down, it is released into your bloodstream, where it can be slowly and evenly distributed throughout your body.

What’s even more exciting is that consuming 1 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar a day can help you achieve a cholesterol level as low as 1% of normal. When consumed in this way, the acid in the vinegar actually helps to “wash” cholesterol out of our bodies.

How Apple Cider vinegar Can Help Lower Your Cholesterol?

These are the steps that happen when you drink apple cider vinegar:

– Your liver breaks down some of the acids in the vinegar and releases copious amounts of bile.

– Bile is very bad for your liver. So your liver filters the bile out of your system.

– Your digestive system breaks down the high amounts of fiber found in vinegar.

– The fiber in fiber loosens up your cholesterol and fat-related impurities such as cysts, stones, and bacteria.

– Your blood pressure drops, allowing your body to pass more blood through your vessels.

– Your stomach produces more hydrochloric acid to break down the fat in your stomach.

– Your small intestine converts some of the fat in your stomach into choline, which is needed for the production of neurotransmitters in your brain.

– Your colon removes the rest of the fat from your body.

Bottom line

The more you know about your cholesterol levels, the easier it will be to lower your cholesterol and improve your health. Knowing your cholesterol and following a healthy diet can lower your cholesterol and prevent heart disease.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to lower your cholesterol naturally, or you’re just looking for a change of pace, try adding 1 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar to your daily diet.

Studies have even found that drinking 2 glasses of vinegar a day can reduce your blood pressure to the point where you don’t require medication to control your blood pressure.