Do you eat refined or whole-grain flour? If you prefer the former, your risk of developing high levels of bad cholesterol is higher. Your body makes blood cholesterol while you get the rest from your food.

Bad cholesterol (LDL) develops from eating unhealthy and less nutritious food options, including refined white flour. These flours, including all-purpose baking flour, can speed up the formation of bad cholesterol.

They are void of bran and germ, the two high-fiber nutrients that help boost digestion and overall health. Refined flours may look purer and tastier, but they are not superior to whole-grain options.

This article reveals three types of whole-grain, cholesterol, and gluten-free flour to bake and cook with.

What is wrong with Refined White Flour?

IIf you consume refined flour, it will raise insulin and blood glucose levels, which will cause a metabolic problem. Additionally, these floors will remove powerful nutrients and add synthetic additives that can harm you.  

Because most East Africans prefer to eat bread, cookies, pasta, and other foods containing refined flour, they often ignore other nutritious food groups. Eventually, some develop various diseases due to increased cholesterol, including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, acne, food addiction, and cancer.\

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a crucial waxy substance that your body makes in the bloodstream to help make healthy cells. Cholesterol then binds with certain proteins to create lipoproteins. It should stay within healthy levels to help the body make cells.  

If cholesterol levels rise beyond the required limit, fatty deposits might gradually cover your arteries. As these levels increase, it will be harder for the blood to travel through your arteries. If they accidentally break, they can lead to a blood clot that causes a stroke or heart attack.

Although high cholesterol is a genetic problem, it regularly begins from bad lifestyle choices like eating an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, drinking alcohol, smoking, etc. Not every cholesterol type is harmful.

If you develop high levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein), you will start having health issues. On the other hand, having high levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is healthy.

3 Flour Options to Replace Refined White Flours with and Why?

Some flour types are better than refined white flour because they are nutrient-dense and free from harmful additives. If you live in Tanzania, these three flour options will protect you from high LDL cholesterol levels:

• Sorghum Floor – Did you know sorghum was a staple food for ancient Sudanese and Ethiopians about 8000 years ago? Milled grain sorghum is gluten-free, making it ideal for people who cannot tolerate gluten or kids with neurological conditions like Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or ADHD ((Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).  Sorghum flour can stop oxidative stress with its many antioxidants. Therefore, it can prevent cell inflammation that triggers cancer and heart disease. Lastly, sorghum is a powerhouse for B vitamins and mineral salts.
• Whole Corn Flour – Whole corn flour cooks the African porridge (Sima, ugali, au Sembe) in the East African region. It is a healthier, cholesterol and gluten-free flour that will keep your LDL levels low.  Whole grain flour has higher polyunsaturated fats, which can help keep your LDL levels low. Its soluble fiber can lower LDL and boost the food digestion process. Above all, zeaxanthin and lutein antioxidants can protect your heart health.
• Rice Flour – Tanzanians can use rice flour to prepare gluten-free pancakes. Rice flour is low in fat content, which makes it cholesterol-free. If you are physically active, you can get your carbs from rice flour because it is healthier. Due to its GABA amino acid, rice flour can increase the serotonin levels in your body, making you feel good all day. If you want it healthier, you can eat brown rice flour with more fiber, minerals, and B vitamins. It is also gluten-free and perfect for kids with ASD or ADHD.

Conclusion

Cholesterol-free flours can protect you from deadly diseases and disorders. You have no reason not to eat them because they are readily available in Tanzania. The Apollosshop distributes all cholesterol-free and gluten-free flour types, including whole maize, sorghum, rice, yellow maize, whole wheat flour, millet, etc.