Overview of foods that lower cholesterol and aid weight loss: The cholesterol-lowering effects of leafy greens and wild vegetables
Chinese chives
It is warm in nature, sweet and pungent in taste, and non-toxic. It has the effects of warming the middle energizer and promoting qi circulation, strengthening the stomach and refreshing the mind, dispelling pathogens and detoxifying, harmonizing the internal organs, and dispersing blood stasis and stopping diarrhea. It is suitable for night sweats, bedwetting, frequent urination, erectile dysfunction, seminal emission, hiccups, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, menstrual disorders in women, as well as injuries from falls and blows, hematemesis, and epistaxis.
Modern research shows that the volatile oils, sulfur compounds, and elements such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc contained in leeks can promote blood circulation and lower blood lipids and blood sugar. They have a good preventive and therapeutic effect on diabetes and its complications such as primary hypertension, coronary heart disease, and hyperlipidemia.
The dietary fiber in chives can lower blood cholesterol and enhance gastrointestinal motility, thus promoting bowel movements and eliminating excess nutrients, including excess fat, from the intestines, preventing fat accumulation in the body. Chives also contain aphrodisiac substances, which can help treat male conditions such as impotence, premature ejaculation, and spermatorrhea.
celery
It is cool in nature and has a sweet and bitter taste. It has the effects of calming the liver and clearing heat, dispelling wind and dampness, refreshing the mind and strengthening the spirit, and moistening the lungs and relieving cough. It is suitable for hyperlipidemia, diabetes, primary hypertension, insomnia, hematuria, headache, leukorrhea in women, postpartum hemorrhage, etc.
Modern research shows that celery is rich in vitamin P, which can enhance the effect of vitamin C, and has antihypertensive and lipid-lowering effects. It has a significant antihypertensive effect on primary, gestational, and menopausal hypertension. Celery also contains a relatively high amount of inorganic salts and fiber, which have calming and vascular-protective effects, enhance bone development, and prevent iron-deficiency anemia.
cabbage
It is neutral in nature, sweet in taste, and non-toxic. It benefits the five internal organs, regulates the six bowels, and nourishes the brain marrow. It is suitable for digestive tract ulcers, arteriosclerosis, gallstones, constipation, and other ailments.
Modern research shows that cabbage contains significantly more potassium than sodium, which helps prevent fluid retention. Cabbage is neutral in nature, making it suitable for people with excessive stomach acid.
Cabbage is low in sugar and contains almost no starch, so it can be eaten by people with diabetes, those who are overweight or obese, and those with atherosclerosis.
The malonic acid in cabbage can also prevent carbohydrates from being converted into fat and prevent the deposition of fat and cholesterol. However, malonic acid is destroyed during heating. Fresh cabbage juice contains phytotoxicants and allyl mustard volatile oils that can inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria, fungi and protozoa.
Water spinach
It is cold in nature and sweet in taste, and has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, moistening the intestines and relieving constipation. It is suitable for dysentery, primary hypertension, hemorrhoids, constipation, insect bites, dermatitis and eczema. Modern research shows that water spinach is rich in dietary fiber, which can promote intestinal peristalsis, relieve constipation and detoxify, lower cholesterol and triglycerides, and has the effect of reducing lipids and losing weight.
Chrysanthemum greens
It is neutral in nature and pungent in taste, and has the effects of harmonizing the spleen and stomach, calming the mind, promoting urination and defecation, and eliminating phlegm. It can be used for symptoms such as bloating, food stagnation, hematemesis, excessive phlegm, dry mouth with thirst, and difficulty urinating. It is also suitable for primary hypertension, spleen and stomach weakness, abdominal distension, indigestion, and loss of appetite. Modern research shows that the volatile oils and choline in garland chrysanthemum have the effects of lowering blood pressure and nourishing the brain. Garland chrysanthemum is rich in dietary fiber, which can aid digestion, relieve constipation, and lower cholesterol.
shepherd's purse
It is neutral in nature and sweet in taste, and has the effects of harmonizing the spleen, promoting diuresis, stopping bleeding, and improving eyesight. It is suitable for dysentery, edema, gonorrhea, chyluria, hematemesis, hematochezia, metrorrhagia, menorrhagia, and red and painful eyes. Modern research shows that shepherd's purse is also rich in fiber, which promotes fat metabolism and defecation.
alfalfa
It is bitter, neutral, astringent, and non-toxic. It has the effects of clearing heat and promoting diuresis, relaxing muscles and tendons, benefiting the large and small intestines, nourishing blood and relieving asthma, and slimming and lightening the body.
Modern research shows that alfalfa contains a relatively comprehensive range of nutrients, such as protein, various vitamins, and carotene. Both purple and southern alfalfa are rich in dietary fiber and pectin.
Animal experiments have shown that alfalfa can prevent hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis caused by high-fat and high-cholesterol diets in animals.
Research suggests that alfalfa's cholesterol-lowering effect may be related to its high dietary fiber content, particularly a substance called saponin. Modern medical research indicates that saponin has a strong binding effect on bile acids, a cholesterol metabolite, thus promoting the excretion of cholesterol and excess fat.
Alfalfa is a wild vegetable that people particularly love. It can be stir-fried, pickled, or mixed with noodles and steamed. It has a pure and delicious taste and has good health benefits in preventing and treating obesity, hyperlipidemia, primary hypertension, coronary heart disease, etc.
mallow
It is cold in nature and sweet in taste, and has the effects of clearing heat, harmonizing the middle, and detoxifying. The "Thousand Gold Diet Therapy" believes that "long-term consumption strengthens bones, builds muscles, lightens the body, and prolongs life." Eating cooked mallow or drinking its decoction can reduce swelling and promote bowel movements, thus helping to lose weight and lighten the body.
tomato
It is neutral in nature and has a sweet and sour taste. It has the effects of promoting the production of body fluids and quenching thirst, strengthening the stomach and aiding digestion, cooling the blood and calming the liver, and clearing heat and detoxifying.
Modern research shows that the fiber in tomatoes can promote gastrointestinal motility and promote the excretion of cholesterol from the digestive tract, thus having the effect of lowering blood cholesterol and relieving constipation.
The organic acids in tomatoes can promote food digestion, and flavonoids have significant effects in lowering blood pressure, stopping bleeding, and promoting diuresis. Tomatoes are rich in nutrients and low in calories. Eating about 750 grams of tomatoes after each meal is very beneficial to the body and will not lead to weight gain.
bean sprouts
It is cold in nature and sweet in taste, and has the effects of nourishing qi and blood, clearing heat and detoxifying, and relieving constipation. It is suitable for patients with constipation, hyperlipidemia, etc.
Modern research shows that bean sprouts have a high water content, very low calories, are not easily converted into fat, and also have a diuretic function.
The dietary fiber in bean sprouts can lower blood cholesterol and enhance gastrointestinal motility, thus having a good laxative effect and helping to expel excess nutrients from the intestines, including excess fat.
The vitamin C in bean sprouts can prevent vitamin C deficiency, bleeding gums, and hardening of the cardiovascular system. Furthermore, bean sprouts are a beauty food, making the skin whiter and smoother. However, bean sprouts are cooling in nature, so those with weak spleen and stomach should avoid them.