'Healthy' Foods That Might Actually Worsen Your Cholesterol

51. Margarine and Vegetable Shortening: The Old-School Threat

While butter has gotten a bad rap, margarine and vegetable shortening, especially older formulations, can be far worse for your heart. These products were originally created by a process called hydrogenation to make liquid vegetable oils solid at room temperature. This process creates trans fats, the very same type of fat that has been proven to increase bad cholesterol and decrease good cholesterol. While many brands have since removed trans fats, some still contain trace amounts, and others use processed oils that can still be inflammatory. For heart-healthy fats, stick to liquid olive oil, avocado oil, or a small amount of real butter.

52. Canned Fruits in Syrup: The Hidden Sugar Bomb

While fresh fruit is a heart-healthy choice, canned fruit can be a secret source of sugar that raises your cholesterol. Many varieties are packed in heavy syrup to preserve them and enhance flavor, but this adds a significant amount of sugar. This concentrated sugar load can lead to a spike in blood sugar and an increase in triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood that's a key risk factor for heart disease. The canning process also often reduces the fruit's beneficial fiber content. To get the goodness of fruit without the cholesterol risks, choose fruit canned in its own juice, or better yet, opt for fresh or frozen fruit.