Orange sodas and other sugary orange drinks may satisfy your craving for a tangy, sweet beverage, but they often come at too high a price. Many orange drinks and sodas are high in artificial flavors and sweeteners while low in heart-healthy nutrients. Opt instead for beverages rich in compounds and nutrients which help maintain healthy cholesterol. Ask your doctor about the best diet for lowering "bad" low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol and triglycerides levels and raising "good" high-density lipoprotein, HDL, cholesterol levels.
Orange Juice
Orange juice delivers the citrus zing you may associate with sugary orange sodas and drinks, but adds none of the sugars which lead to weight gain, dental problems and other health issues. Additionally, orange juice is rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant which helps lower cholesterol. If you miss the sparkle of orange soda, mix tonic water and orange juice to yield the benefits of the juice without adding the calories or sugar from regular orange soda.
Grapefruit Juice
Like orange juice, grapefruit juice contributes vitamin C while satisfying your craving for a citrus tang. Additionally, grapefruits are high in flavonoids, the compounds responsible for lowering triglycerides and LDL levels, notes the nonprofit web site World's Healthiest Foods, or WHFoods.org.
Berry and Grape Juice
Look for cranberry, blueberry or grape juices or a mix of these juices for an antioxidant-rich drink which may help you maintain optimum cholesterol rates. The three fruits are high in polyphenols, noted for their ability to increase "good cholesterol." As with other fruit juices, combining berry and grape juice with sparkling or tonic water may help relieve your craving for fizzy drinks like orange soda.
Vegetable Juices
According to a 2007 study published in the "British Journal of Nutrition," tomato juice can significantly lower LDL levels and prevent the future oxidation of LDL cholesterol in your body. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, two heart-healthy nutrients. Carrot juice also contains beta-carotene. Look for vegetable juice blends, which may combine tomato juice and carrot juice with other cholesterol-busting veggies, including spinach, kale and red peppers.
Soy Milk
As an alternative to whole milk, soy milk automatically reduces your consumption of saturated fats. Additionally, soy products contain soluble fiber, which lowers your LDL ratio and creates a healthier LDL to HDL ratio, notes the Fitness Magazine web site. Add a splash of orange juice or orange extract, if you wish.
Almond Milk
Like soy milk, almond milk yields the benefit of replacing cholesterol-raising fats from whole cow's milk. Additionally, almonds contain soluble fiber and vitamin E. Vitamin E helps reduce the amount of cholesterol buildup on blood vessel walls and the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, according to WHFoods.org.
Yogurt-Orange Smoothies
Mix orange juice with yogurt to create a thick citrus drink rich in both vitamin C and probiotics. Probiotic bacteria help your overall cholesterol level by increasing the "good" HDL rates and lowering the "bad" LDL levels.
References
- MayoClinic.com: High Cholesterol
- World's Healthiest Foods: Lowering Cholesterol with a Healthier Way of Eating
- Cambridge Journals Online: British Journal of Nutrition Abstract: Tomato Juice Decreases LDL Cholesterol Levels and Increases LDL Resistance to Oxidation
- Fitness Magazine: The 8 Healthiest Drinks
