Too much “bad cholesterol”, also known as LDL cholesterol, can block your blood vessels, leading to heart problems or stroke. To reduce your levels, the NHS recommends cutting down on foods high in saturated fat. Granola is a popular breakfast food that comes in many varieties and some contain high levels of this type of fat.
In some cases, the type of oil used in granola is coconut – linked to higher cholesterol levels.
Coconut oil may seem like a healthy choice but research shows that it’s just as likely to raise cholesterol as other types of saturated fats, according to the American Heart Association.
This oil with others has also been linked to heart disease.
However, don’t ditch granola completely as some types can be actually beneficial for your health.
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What type of granola should I buy?
When shopping for this breakfast food, the first thing to do is look for granolas without trans fat.
Trans fat is considered the worst type of fat, causing your “bad cholesterol” levels to increase and your “good cholesterol” to decrease, Mayo Clinic reports.
You can also try to look for granola sweetened with dried fruit or honey to avoid any tricky sweeteners.
Honey has also been linked to lowering cholesterol levels, according to research on PubMed Central.
Granola can be a nutritious and beneficial breakfast when chosen carefully.
However, many varieties of this cereal are full of saturated fats and excess sugar which can lead to high cholesterol levels.
If you choose granola, opting for versions without trans fat with natural sweeteners could be a better idea, according to research.
As high cholesterol doesn’t cause any symptoms, the only way to know your levels for sure is by having a blood test.
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