- Pomegranate juice, rich in antioxidants, may help lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Tomato juice and green tea are also heart-healthy drinks that can support cholesterol levels.
- Small, sustainable dietary changes, including morning beverages, can boost long-term heart health.
Did you know that about 40% of people who have high LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) levels are unaware of their status? If your doctor has told you your LDL is high, consider yourself lucky to be informed. When you know where you stand, you can take action—including changing up your diet to support healthier cholesterol levels and lower risk for heart disease.
We know that fiber-rich foods like whole grains, flaxseed, soy, nuts and unsaturated fats can help bring down unhealthy cholesterol levels. But there’s another category to consider: what you’re drinking. We talked to three registered dietitians about the beverage they’d recommend for bringing down your cholesterol, some easy ways to add more of it to your diet, and other drinks that can improve cholesterol levels, too.
According to dietitians, pomegranate juice is one of the top morning beverages for helping reduce your cholesterol levels.
Why Pomegranate Juice Can Improve Your Cholesterol Levels
Pomegranate juice is known for its rich red hue, a sign of the healthful compounds it contains. “Pomegranate juice is rich in polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that help protect LDL cholesterol from oxidative damage, which is a key step in plaque formation,” says Karman Meyer, RDN. In one scientific review, consuming pomegranates was associated with a reduction in triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood) and LDL levels, while increasing “good” HDL levels.
These benefits may happen rather quickly—one small study on middle-aged adults with high body weight and dyslipidemia (a condition which includes high cholesterol) found that people who drank around a cup of pomegranate juice every day for two weeks benefited from lower LDL cholesterol.
In addition, if you also have hypertension (which, along with high cholesterol, increases your risk for heart disease), research also suggests that consuming pomegranate may help bring down blood pressure levels. Of course, Meyer points out, pomegranate juice is not a replacement for medication, but it can be part of a heart-healthy eating pattern.
3 Ways to Add Pomegranate Juice to Your Diet
Want to add more of this juice to your day? Follow these quick tips from Meyer:
- Buy 100% pomegranate juice. Avoid blends (which contain a variety of juices) and buy one that has no added sugar.
- Drink smaller portions. Aim for a half-cup to one cup per day.
- Use it in a smoothie. Adding pomegranate juice to a smoothie filled with fiber-rich ingredients (like fruits, spinach and flaxseed) can create a powerful drink for supporting healthy cholesterol.
Other Drinks That Can Help Lower Your Cholesterol
Pomegranate juice may be a good ingredient to add to a smoothie, but smoothies in general can be a great breakfast drink when you have high cholesterol, says Ali McGowan, M.S., RD. She recommends one made with unsweetened oat milk, berries and chia seeds (all sources of soluble fiber) for a heart-healthy morning drink.
Along with pomegranate juice, Amy Woodman, RD, also recommends a glass of tomato juice for its lycopene content. Lycopene is an antioxidant found in red foods like tomatoes that has been shown to improve cholesterol levels, particularly HDL levels. Note that tomato juice can be high in sodium, which may be a detriment to blood pressure, so look for low- or no-sodium tomato juice.
And finally, if a warm morning drink is more your vibe, reach for a mug of green tea, which is packed with antioxidants. “Green tea consumption has been linked with modest reductions in total and LDL cholesterol in clinical studies,” says McGowan.
Our Expert Take
If you are aiming to reduce your cholesterol levels, there are a few beverages you can drink in the morning to support this journey. One of the top recommendations by dietitians is antioxidant-rich pomegranate juice. In addition, other good drink options include tomato juice and green tea, which are also rich in heart-healthy antioxidants.
Heart health is about your entire diet, not just one thing you eat (or drink). Making small, sustainable changes in your eating habits can support long-term heart health. Talk to your health care provider for personalized advice.
