According to an extensive analysis of 460 million lipid tests conducted across 17 countries on five continents, South Korea boasts the lowest LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
This insightful research, published in the European Heart Journal in 2023, illustrates a varied landscape of cholesterol levels globally. The findings highlight how cultural factors, including dietary habits and exercise routines, can significantly impact the population’s heart disease risk. Read the full study here.
Koreans typically enjoy a diet rich in fermented foods and legumes, which contributes to their low cholesterol levels. Their traditional diet is low in saturated fats, and research indicates that such dietary choices can actively lower blood cholesterol levels.
<p>Countries with below-average cholesterol levels include Turkey and, surprisingly, the United States, known for its fast-food culture.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Austria and Germany report the highest cholesterol levels, followed closely by Japan, Australia, and Switzerland. In these nations, high consumption of animal fats and dairy products may contribute to elevated cholesterol, although genetic factors are also significant.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="800" src="https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/41/2026/06/countries-lowest-cholesterol-korea.jpg?webp=1&w=1200" alt="Korean food, high angle view of ramen" class="wp-image-215440"/>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">South Koreans benefit from a diet rich in fermented foods and legumes - Image courtesy of Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>For instance, in Austria, <a href="https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/web/en/ueber-uns/news/news-im-oktober-2021/dem-boesen-cholesterin-auf-der-spur/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1 in 300 individuals</a> have familial <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23921-hypercholesterolemia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hypercholesterolemia</a>, an inherited condition that greatly increases the likelihood of high LDL cholesterol levels.</p>
<p>Moreover, research shows that cholesterol levels have evolved over time. A <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2338-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2020 paper</a> examined cholesterol trends from 1980 to 2018.</p>
<p>The study revealed that cholesterol levels have significantly declined in many high-income Western countries due to improved diets and the use of statins and other cholesterol-lowering medications.</p>
<p>Conversely, many low- and middle-income nations, particularly in Asia, have seen a rise in cholesterol levels. The researchers noted that <strong>China</strong> shifted from having one of the lowest increase rates in 1980 to one of the highest by 2018.</p>
<p>It’s also important to note that cholesterol levels tend to be higher among men compared to women across nearly all countries.</p>
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
<p><em>This article addresses the query posed by Winchester's Zoe Grant: "Which country has the lowest cholesterol levels in the world?"</em></p>
<p><strong>If you have any questions, please contact us at:</strong> <strong>[email protected] or send us a message</strong> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sciencefocus/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Facebook</strong></a><strong>,</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/sciencefocus?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong> or </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bbcsciencefocus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Instagram</strong></a> <strong>(please include your name and location).</strong></p>
<p><strong>Explore our ultimate</strong> <strong>fun facts</strong><strong> and discover more amazing science content.</strong></p>
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
<p><strong>Read more:</strong></p>
Source: www.sciencefocus.com