Can lemongrass lower the bad cholesterol in your body?
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tropical plant native to Asia. It contains various compounds, including citral, myrcene, and geraniol, which have been associated with numerous health benefits.
Can it lower bad cholesterol?
Some studies do suggest that lemongrass may effectively reduce certain cholesterol levels:
1. Animal Studies:
- Animal studies indicate that lemongrass extracts or its phytochemicals may help decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol, and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or "good" cholesterol.
2. Human Studies:
- Limited human research found that consuming lemongrass tea significantly reduced LDL and total cholesterol levels. However, the studies had a small sample size.
Overall, while limited, some scientific evidence suggests that lemongrass might reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body. However, more comprehensive human studies are needed to confirm these effects and fully understand lemongrass's influence on cholesterol levels. Remember, lemongrass alone should not be used as a primary treatment for cholesterol imbalance; always consult your healthcare provider for professional advice.