Cholesterol is needed by the body to produce vitamin D, hormones, digestive juices and skin oils, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Cholesterol also builds up fatty deposits in the arteries, called plaque, which can reduce or block the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart. The Cleveland Clinic says too much cholesterol, particularly LDL, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, is a major risk factor for heart and cardiovascular disease. Some foods produce high cholesterol.
Eggs
Eggs, particularly the yolks, are one of the highest sources of dietary cholesterol. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that one large egg cooked and scrambled contains 215mg of cholesterol per 61g egg. An omelet containing three large eggs would contain 645mg of cholesterol. When comparing cholesterol content to other foods, there is 353mg of cholesterol per 100g of egg.
Research led by R.M. Weggemans and published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 2001, discovered that dietary cholesterol from eggs raises total blood cholesterol and the ratio of total to HDL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the good cholesterol, increasing the risk of coronary artery disease. Moreover, the research suggests limiting cholesterol intake by reducing eggs consumption.
Meat
The American Heart Association says that saturated fat is the main dietary cause of high blood cholesterol. Saturated fat and high amount of cholesterol are found in animal foods, such as beef, veal, lamb, pork and poultry.
The USDA reports that broiled or fried chicken giblets contains 641mg of cholesterol per a 1 cup serving, cooked turkey giblets contains 419mg of cholesterol per a 1 cup serving and cooked beef and its variety of meats and byproducts, such as liver, contains 324mg of cholesterol per 3-oz. serving. According to DietaryFiberFood.com, cooked brains and byproducts of beef, veal, pork and lamb contain the highest amount of cholesterol per 100g of any food at 3100mg, 3100mg, 2,552mg and 2,504mg, respectively.
Dairy
Dairy products, such as milk, butter, cream and cheeses contain dietary cholesterol. The USDA reports that 1 cup of ricotta cheese made from whole milk contains 125mg of cholesterol, 1 cup of cheese sauce contains 92mg of cholesterol and an 11-oz. milkshake contains 38mg of cholesterol.
Other Foods
Some plant foods contain saturated fat, which can raise cholesterol levels. These plant foods include cocoa butter, coconut, coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil.
References
- The Cleveland Clinic: Cholesterol
- United States Department of Agriculture: National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 18
- DietaryFiberFood.com: Cholesterol: List of Foods High in Cholesterol Content
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Dietary Cholesterol from Eggs Increases Ratio of Total Cholesterol to HDL Cholesterol in Humans; R.M. Weggemans; May 2001
- American Heart Association: Know Your Fats
