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6 Drinks That Positively Affect Cholesterol Levels

Green tea is one of the beverages that can positively affect cholesterol levels.
Drinks that positively affect cholesterol levels revealed on FITBOOK Photo: Getty Images

May 16, 2025, 12:06 pm | Read time: 5 minutes

Of course, simply consuming certain beverages isn’t enough to lower cholesterol levels if you maintain an overall unhealthy lifestyle. However, studies show that the following drinks can positively impact blood lipid levels. Learn more about this at FITBOOK.

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When it comes to cholesterol, coffee might immediately come to mind. Its impact on cholesterol levels has been a topic of debate for a long time. A 2022 study, for example, shows how coffee can affect blood lipid levels differently depending on the preparation method.1 Nevertheless, coffee has made it onto the list of beverages with a potentially beneficial influence on cholesterol levels. The explanation follows later in the text.

Overview

Beverages with a Positive Influence on Cholesterol Levels

Briefly, what does a positive influence on cholesterol levels mean? It refers to measures—in this case, the consumption of certain beverages—that can help lower total cholesterol and particularly the “bad” blood lipid levels. This typically refers to LDL cholesterol. It can also be beneficial to increase or stabilize the so-called “good” cholesterol (HDL). A healthier blood lipid profile can help prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Even the most cholesterol-friendly beverages cannot fully offset lifestyle-related risk factors–such as unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, or abdominal fat. However, the following beverages are recommended alongside generally health-promoting habits.

1. Tomato Juice

Tomato juice must top this list. Numerous studies show that regular tomato juice—ideally combined with healthy fats—improves the lipid profile. Key to this effect are anti-inflammatory and vascular-protective mechanisms. Notably, a 2007 study established a link between daily tomato juice consumption and a significantly reduced LDL cholesterol level.2 Another study explained how lycopene—a plant compound—reduces inflammation and thus indirectly has positive effects on lipid metabolism and vascular health.3

2. Green Tea

Green tea is considered health-promoting and possibly even life-extending for various reasons. Particularly noteworthy is its high content of polyphenols, which are known to act as antioxidants—especially the subgroup of catechins. These can contribute to lowering total and LDL cholesterol with regular green tea consumption, as shown by a Chinese study.4 The study analyzed 31 randomized controlled trials with a total of 3,321 participants. According to the evaluation, the effect of the active ingredient is somewhat stronger when taken as a dietary supplement.

3. Cucumber Juice – in Combination with Another Measure

A recent study found that consuming cucumber juice can lower cholesterol levels in patients with hypertension–specifically in conjunction with cupping therapy.5 This treatment method, traditionally used for pain relief and promoting blood circulation, has gained importance in alternative medicine for various cardiovascular diseases. The researchers hoped for a synergy effect: The combination of cupping (as a blood circulation promoter) and a fiber-rich diet (cucumber juice) could achieve a stronger effect together. And this seems to be confirmed. The evaluation clearly indicated a positive influence on cholesterol levels. However, the authors emphasize that more research is needed to substantiate the results.

Another study examined the potential effect of cucumber juice on the lipid profile—this time in conjunction with resistance training in women with type 2 diabetes.6 Participants were divided into different groups: One group trained and received a placebo, another training group was given cucumber juice, a third group consumed only cucumber juice, and finally, there was a control group with no intervention. After eight weeks, significant improvements in cholesterol levels and blood sugar values were observed in the women who trained and consumed cucumber juice.

4. Plant-Based Milk Alternatives

A meta-analysis of 17 previous studies showed that consuming soy drinks instead of cow’s milk can lower LDL cholesterol levels by about 6 percent.7 The same applies to other “bad” lipoproteins that can contribute to arteriosclerosis. Additionally, the researchers found positive effects on blood pressure in their evaluation. The results applied to all types of soy drinks, whether sweetened or not. The researchers particularly recommend that individuals with cardiovascular predispositions replace milk-based drinks with soy drinks instead of traditional cow’s milk.

Oat drink appears to have a similar effect. The results of several studies suggest that this milk alternative—especially when it has a high beta-glucan content—can lower LDL cholesterol levels. One study demonstrated this effect for the product alone, not necessarily for oat drinks as a cow’s milk substitute.8 Among participants who consumed oat drinks three times daily for four weeks, the “bad” cholesterol level decreased by about 6 percent on average. Additionally, other important values improved, reducing their estimated risk of cardiovascular diseases by an average of 8 percent.

Admittedly, milk and its alternatives are technically considered foods rather than beverages. Nevertheless, the results are relevant for daily consumption habits, especially since we often consider coffee a beverage in everyday life.

5. Coffee

FITBOOK previously reported on a Canadian study from McMaster University.9 The results suggest that the caffeine in coffee can lower the level of the protein PCSK9, thereby helping to break down excess LDL cholesterol. Coffee’s long-standing critical reputation regarding cholesterol levels is mainly due to the so-called diterpenes it contains. However, these are primarily consumed through unfiltered coffee. In moderation, coffee is now considered beneficial for a healthy cholesterol level.

More on the topic

6. Hibiscus Tea

A study showed that regular consumption of hibiscus tea can also positively influence cholesterol levels.10 For the study, 60 diabetics drank either hibiscus tea or black tea for a month. In the hibiscus tea group, the levels of “good” HDL cholesterol increased, while “bad” LDL cholesterol and unfavorable triglyceride levels in the blood decreased. The researchers attributed the positive influence to the antioxidant properties of the plant compounds in hibiscus tea—such as anthocyanins and polyphenols.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of FITBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@fitbook.de.

Topics #Naturtreu Kaffee

Sources

  1. Svatun AL, Lochen MJ, Thelle DS et al. (2022) Association between espresso coffee and serum total cholesterol: the Tromsø Study 2015–2016, Open Heart ↩︎
  2. Silaste, M.-L., Alfthan, G., Aro, A., et al. (2007), Tomato juice decreases LDL cholesterol levels and increases LDL resistance to oxidation. British Journal of Nutrition. ↩︎
  3. Palozza, P., Parrone, N., Catalano, A., et al. (2010). Tomato lycopene and inflammatory cascade: basic interactions and clinical implications. Current Medicinal Chemistry, ↩︎
  4. Xu, R., Yang, K., Li, S., Dai, M., et al. (2020), Effect of green tea consumption on blood lipids: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutrition Journal ↩︎
  5. Lotfi M., Behpoor N., Rahimi M., et al. (2023). Separate and Combined Effects of Resistance Training and Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) Juice Consumption on the Diabetic Indicators and Lipid Profile in Women with Type 2 Diabetes. Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences ↩︎
  6. Kusrina, S., Supriyadi, Pujiastuti, R. S. E. (2024). The effectiveness of cupping therapy and cucumber juice on blood pressure and total cholesterol levels among patients with hypertension. Malahayati International Journal of Nursing and Health Science ↩︎
  7. Erlich, M, Ghidanac, D., Mejia S. et al. (2022). A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials of substituting soymilk for cow's milk and intermediate cardiometabolic outcomes: understanding the impact of dairy alternatives in the transition to plant-based diets on cardiometabolic health. BMC Medicine ↩︎
  8. Wolever, T., Rahn, M., Dioum E. et al. (2021) An Oat β-Glucan Beverage Reduces LDL Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Men and Women with Borderline High Cholesterol: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial. The Journal of Nutrition ↩︎
  9. Lebeau P.F., Byun J.H., Platko K. et al. (2022), Caffeine blocks SREBP2-induced hepatic PCSK9 expression to enhance LDLR-mediated cholesterol clearance. Nature Communications. ↩︎
  10. Mozaffari-Khosravi, H., Jalali-Khanabadi, B.-A., Afkhami-Ardekani, M. et al. (2009). Effects of sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa) on lipid profile and lipoproteins in patients with type II diabetes. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine ↩︎
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