What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the human body and is responsible for maintaining the structure of cell membranes and for producing certain hormones, amongst other functions. It is made inside the body, however can also be found in certain foods including red meats and dairy products.
Cholesterol is usually divided into two different types: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). LDL is commonly known as ‘bad’ cholesterol, whereas HDL is known as ‘good’ cholesterol. It is important to maintain a healthy balance of these two types of cholesterol.
Why is Cholesterol Test Important?
A cholesterol test is a type of blood test that is used to measure the levels of different types of cholesterol in the blood. It is important to understand the levels of cholesterol in the blood as they can indicate the condition of one’s health.
When the blood cholesterol levels are too high, it can increase the risk of heart disease and other serious medical conditions. Therefore, it is important to check cholesterol levels on a regular basis to ensure that they are at a healthy level. The results of the cholesterol test can be used as a guide to inform lifestyle behaviour and diet tablets.
Can You Drink Black Coffee Before Cholesterol Test?
It is recommended to avoid drinking black coffee before a cholesterol test. This is because caffeine can influence the results of the cholesterol test, by increasing the level of cholesterol in the blood. This can lead to an inaccurate result, resulting in incorrect advice and guidance from the doctor regarding lifestyle behaviour and diet tablets.
The recommended time to wait before drinking black coffee before a cholesterol test is 12 to 24 hours. Therefore, if you have a cholesterol test scheduled, it is wise to avoid drinking black coffee the day before. If you feel you must drink black coffee, try to limit it to one cup and make sure that it is at least 12 hours before your cholesterol test.
Advantages of Black Coffee
Despite the recommendation to avoid black coffee before a cholesterol test, it can still be beneficial to include in your diet. This is because black coffee is known to offer a range of health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants, and can reduce inflammation. Furthermore, it is thought to be linked to a lowered risk of developing type two diabetes.
Other Drinks to Avoid
In addition to black coffee, it is also recommended to avoid other drinks before a cholesterol test. This includes alcohol and sugary drinks. These both contain glucose, which can lead to a temporarily increased level of cholesterol in the blood. Therefore, if possible, try to limit or avoid these drinks for 24 hours before the cholesterol test.
Changes to Make to Your Diet
There are numerous changes you can make to your diet to improve cholesterol levels. Eating a healthy and balanced diet can help to reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol in the body, which reduces the risk of heart disease.
It is important to increase the amount of fibre in the diet by consuming whole-wheat bread, oats and vegetables. It is also advised to cut down on red meats and other fatty foods. It is important to include foods such as oily fish, walnuts and avocados in the diet as these can help to raise the level of HDL cholesterol.
Regular Exercise
Regular exercise is important in order to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. It has been found that even doing low to moderate intensity exercise on a daily basis can help to lower LDL cholesterol levels. This can include activities such as brisk walking, jogging and cycling.
Furthermore, it is recommended to incorporate exercise that helps to strengthen the heart and lungs, such as swimming and aerobics. This type of exercise helps to build the muscles and increases the levels of HDL cholesterol.
Medication
In addition to a healthy eating and exercise plan, the doctor may prescribe medication in order to modify the risk of high cholesterol. This type of medication is called a statin and its job is to reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood. Statin medications should be taken in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise as these will be the most effective.
Foods to Eat
When looking to maintain healthy cholesterol levels it is important to consider the foods that you eat. It is advisable to eat a diet that is rich in fruit and vegetables and to avoid processed foods. Furthermore, it is recommended to limit red meats and to instead opt for lean proteins such as fish, eggs and poultry.
Finally, avoid eating foods that are high in saturated fats and include foods that are high in dietary fibre such as beans, nuts and avocados. These foods can help to increase the levels of ‘good’ cholesterol and reduce the levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol.
Vitamin Supplements
Vitamin supplements can be useful to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. This is because certain vitamins, such as vitamin B3, can help to lower the amount of ‘bad’ cholesterol in the blood.
In addition, taking omega-3 supplements can help to increase the amount of ‘good’ cholesterol in the blood. Omega-3 supplements are found in forms such as fish oil capsules and are available to buy over the counter.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is wise to avoid drinking black coffee before a cholesterol test in order to ensure accurate results. Furthermore, there are numerous changes that can be made to the diet and lifestyle behaviour and even taking vitamin supplements to maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
