In a world of good cholesterol and bad, LDL(Low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is the bad one. LDL cholesterol circulating through the bloodstream tends to deposit in the walls of arteries causing the blockages of atherosclerosis. Higher LDL levels increases the risk for a heart attack from a sudden blood clot in an artery narrowed by atherosclerosis.
According to a meta-analysis, one serve daily of dietary pulses reduces LDL cholesterol by about 5%, which significantly and independently lowers the cardiovascular disease risk.
North American researchers found that consumption of about three-quarters of a cup (130g) of beans, lentils, chickpeas or other legumes and pulses every day boosted the effects of heart-healthy diets.
The heart-healthy effect of legumes was greater in men than women, the research found. That may be because men tend to have worse eating habits and higher cholesterol levels to begin with than women, so they might gain more from switching to a healthier diet.
