Too much cholesterol makes you ill. But tablets to lower cholesterol levels are not always necessary. Here are the best foods that significantly reduce cholesterol levels.

Nuts

Almonds, walnuts, peanuts and hazelnuts help to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Just a handful of nuts a day has a long-term effect. Don't worry about the calories, nuts contain good fat and can even help you lose weight.

High-fibre food

Oatmeal, kidney beans, apples, pears, plums and barley contain soluble fibre, which absorbs bad cholesterol (LDL) like a sponge. 10 grams of soluble fibre is equivalent to about 2 cups of oatmeal with fresh fruit. You should consume 10 grams of soluble fibre every day to effectively lower your cholesterol levels.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce cholesterol. In addition to oily fish, omega 3 is also found in walnuts. When preparing fish, it is important to add as little extra fat as possible. It is therefore best to grill, bake or boil in water.

Olive oil

Olive oil contains a number of antioxidants that lower LDL cholesterol and leave HDL (the "good" one) untouched. Replace other fats with 2 tablespoons of olive oil per day to lower cholesterol levels. Olive oil from the first pressing is particularly recommended.

All foods with natural stenols and sterols

Stanols and sterols are substances that inhibit the absorption of cholesterol. They are contained in oranges, avocado, sunflower seeds and corn oil, among other things.

What you should change about your diet

To prevent cholesterol levels from rising in the first place, you should not eat meat every day. Saturated fatty acids should be avoided as far as possible. Crackers, butter, some types of margarine, cakes, meat and pastries are particularly bad for cholesterol.