Eat your way to a healthier HEART

You can lower your cholesterol by what you choose to put on your plate

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Being told you have high cholesterol can spark fear. And it's no wonder. Cholesterol is a type of blood fat, made in the liver, which we need to stay healthy, but too much can clog our arteries and lead to health problems, such as heart disease and strokes. 'Our cholesterol is really important for overall heart health and wellbeing, and we should take good care of it,' says Ashleigh Tosh, health and nutrition expert from Prepped Pots.

There are different types, which do different jobs, including LDL 'bad' cholesterol, which clogs your arteries, and HDL 'good' cholesterol, which carries cholesterol away from your cells to be broken down by your liver. It is estimated that half of us could have high cholesterol*, putting us at risk of poor health. There are often no symptoms, so having a test is important to discover what your levels are.

THE GOOD NEWS?

'There are foods out there that can lower high cholesterol levels and provide us with good cholesterol, which is important in keeping our arteries clean,' says Ashleigh.

Here's what to fill up on.

* DARK CHOCOLATE

'In moderation, dark chocolate can contribute to a healthy heart,' says Ashleigh. 'Opt for chocolate with at least a 70% cocoa content.'

* BERRIES