1. It lowers your bad cholesterol.
   It raises your good cholesterol.
2. It cleanses your liver.

A moderate level of alcohol increases your good (HDL) cholesterol. Alcohol in moderation also decreases blood clotting and insulin resistance.

1. diabetes
   cancer
2. Alzheimer's

Not only does moderate alcohol use decrease heart disease risk, it also decreases risk of developing diabetes.

1. one drink per day for men and women
   one drink per week for men and women
2. one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men

Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Keep in mind, one drink equals: 1.5 ounces of hard liquor, 5 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer).

1. red wine
   red wine, fresh bread and cheese
2. red wine, fruit and vegetables

The French population has a lower incidence of heart disease compared to Americans due to a diet that includes larger amounts of red wine, fruits and vegetables.

1. Fiber improves intestinal health and prevents heart disease.
   Fiber reduces blood pressure and moderates blood sugar levels.
2. both of the above

There are several health benefits of fiber, including: improving intestinal health, preventing heart disease and cancer, reducing blood pressure and moderating blood sugar levels.

1. fruits, vegetables and legumes
   milk, coffee and vegetables
2. both of the above

Fiber is found only in plant-based foods, such as: fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole-grains and nuts.

1. soluble fiber
   insoluble fiber
2. digestible fiber

Research suggests that soluble fiber is better at lowering cholesterol. Soluble fiber dissolves when mixed with water and can be found in a variety of foods, such as: oats, peas, beans, apples and citrus fruits.

1. Soluble fiber controls the absorption of cholesterol.
   Soluble fiber slows the digestive process.
2. Soluble fiber reduces the amount of bile reabsorbed into the intestines.

Soluble fiber reduces the amount of bile reabsorbed into the intestines, which results in the liver producing a greater amount of bile salts. In order for the liver to make bile salts it needs cholesterol, ultimately resulting in a reduction of cholesterol in the blood stream.

1. 1 percent
   5 percent
2. 10 percent

It may not seem like a lot, but lowering your LDL cholesterol by 5 percent could have an impact on your cholesterol levels and overall health. The recommended daily dose of soluble fiber for individuals with high cholesterol is 10 to 25 grams.

1. fruits and vegetables
   oat bran, psyllium, oatmeal and barley
2. fruits and nuts

Oat bran, psyllium, oatmeal and barley contain beta-glucan, which is a form of soluble fiber. Research has shown that beta-glucan can significantly lower cholesterol levels.

1. docosahexanoic acid (DHA)
   eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
2. both of the above

Some fish are rich in docosahexanoic and eicosapentaenoic, which are fatty acid and also known as omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce cholesterol levels.

1. salmon, mackerel and albacore tuna
   sardines, anchovies and herring
2. both of the above

Many different types of fish have high sources of omega-3 fatty acids, including: salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, herring and lake trout. More recently, omega-3 has also been added to many foods, including: eggs, margarine, pasta, milk and meat.

1. baking
   frying with olive oil
2. grilling

Avoid cooking fish in fat or lard, as this decreases the nutritional value of the fish. It is best to broil or bake fish to retain its nutritional goodness.

1. once per week
   twice per week
2. three times per week

The American Heart Association recommends that healthy adults, as well as adults with heart disease, eat two servings of fish per week.

1. 0.5 grams
   1 gram
2. 2 grams

It is recommended that someone with heart disease consume 1 gram of DHA and EPA per day, either through food or supplements.

1. raw
   dried
2. cooked

Garlic in any form has health benefits, but raw garlic has the greatest medicinal effect.

1. 2 to 4 percent
   4 to 6 percent
2. 9 to 12 percent

The most recent research suggests that garlic can reduce cholesterol by 4 to 6 percent. Research in the 1990s, however, suggested that garlic could reduce cholesterol by 9 to 12 percent.

1. almonds, walnuts and pecans
   cashews and pine nuts
2. all nuts

Almonds, walnuts, pecans, and peanuts can reduce cholesterol levels by 2 to 16 percent.

1. The unsaturated fat in nuts helps reduce cholesterol.
   Nuts contain fiber, which helps lower cholesterol.
2. both of the above

Nuts have several cholesterol-lowering ingredients, including: unsaturated fat, fiber, vitamin E, amino acids and plant sterols.

1. 1.5 ounces
   3 ounces
2. 6 ounces

A little goes a long way. The American Food and Drug Administration recommends eating 1.5 ounces of nuts for lowering cholesterol levels.