HIGH cholesterol is something you don’t want to mess around with: Having the waxy build-up in your blood increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Adding these foods into your diet can help you lower your cholesterol level. Avocado The monounsaturated fatty acids found in avocados have been found to improve low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. It’s good practice to try and swap out foods high in saturated fat for foods that contain monounsaturated fatty acids whenever possible. Dark chocolate Keep this one in moderation. Studies have shown that small amounts (around a half-ounce) of dark chocolate can lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol. It’s all about those flavanoids, which are the antioxidants that help cells resist damage. Olive oil Just like avocados, monounsaturated fatty acids are the major players at work here. Swapping out your butter for olive oil can really help push your health in a better direction. Soy Although food made from soybeans aren’t as powerful in lowering cholesterol as initially believed, you can still lower your cholesterol by consuming soy protein every day. Eggplant This vegetable is full of soluble fiber, according to Harvard Medical School, which consumes the bile acid in your body and prompts the body to target the cholesterol in your liver to make more. Pomegranate Whether you eat the seeds or prefer your pomegranates in juice form, you’re sure to reap the fruit’s cholesterol-lowering powers. “Any form of pomegranate — whether the arils or the juice — could help control cholesterol by slowing its buildup,” says New Jersey-based dietitian Amy Gorin. Coconut Eating coconut won’t just make you feel like you got transported to a tropical paradise: It also has some major health benefits. One study showed the fruit is great at lowering cholesterol levels — even if you just top your salad with some crunchy flakes. Tart cherries All cherries are delicious, but there’s something extra special about this sour variety. Anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant found in purple and dark red fruits and vegetables, may help decrease the risk of heart attack in women. Garlic You can add garlic to stir-fries, grilled veggies like asparagus, and even using it to flavor olive oil. Research shows the power herb could help reduce total cholesterol levels. Wild blueberries Another food with cholesterol-fighting fiber are wild blueberries. “Just one cup of frozen wild blueberries offers around 6 grams of fiber, which is about a quarter of your daily need,” Gorin says. “They offer twice the antioxidants of regular blueberries — and eating a diet rich in antioxidants is linked with a lower risk of heart disease.” Red onion Onions might make you shed a tear or two, but the cry is worth it: The vegetable contains anthoxanthins that help lower blood pressure and speed up your metabolism. Walnuts Many studies show that regularly eating nuts can help lower our cholesterol — both total cholesterol and the “bad” LDL cholesterol, Gorin says. Some research indicates that taking in 60 grams of nuts daily yields the biggest benefits. Broccoli Adding some broccoli to your plate will also do your body good. Since it is packed with fiber, steaming a few cups for dinner or eating a handful as a snack will keep your cholesterol levels in check.(SD-Agencies) | 