Eat This Kind of Bean to Lower Cholesterol

What kind of bean do you pile high on your tacos and burritos? For better cholesterol, try the mighty pinto bean.

In a study, people who consumed half a cup of pinto beans every day lowered their total cholesterol by a whopping 8 percent in just 12 weeks.

Power to the Pinto
With 8 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber, almost no fat, and only 120 calories per half cup, what's not to love about pinto beans? Especially when the bean's fiber is known to help control cholesterol. How? By causing the body's small intestine to produce more of a compound that helps keep cholesterol in check. (Need more help hitting your cholesterol target? Try this advice from the YOU Docs.)

Beans and Blood Fats
Changes in the gastrointestinal environment were only part of the reason pinto beans lowered cholesterol in the study. Researchers also think the nutrients in beans help -- antioxidant nutrients like flavonoids, which are natural plant compounds that help defend against disease. Ready to serve up some tasty pintos? Try one of these serving ideas from EatingWell:

• A sweet side salad: Pinto Bean Salad with Spiced Molasses Dressing.
• An energizing high-protein lunch: Vegetarian Taco Salad.
• A stick-to-your-ribs dinner: Black Bean Quesadillas.

What's your risk of heart disease? Take the RealAge Cholesterol Assessment to find out.