Did you know, almost half of American adults have high cholesterol? A combination of lifestyle factors and genetics mostly influences cholesterol. But what you eat still matters. In fact, when you eat closer to what the Dietary Guidelines recommend, you could lower your risk of heart disease and cholesterol. So, aim to eat more fruits, vegetables, lean protein, lower-fat dairy and whole grains — and at the same time, eat fewer less-healthy or empty-calorie foods like processed meats, salty snacks like potato chips, sweets and sweetened beverages. These Eight Foods Have the Potential to Directly Improve Your Cholesterol: 1. Brussels sprouts A 1/2-cup serving of Brussels sprouts contains 3 grams of soluble fiber. And research suggests that upping your soluble fiber by as little as 5 to 10 grams a day can lower your LDL cholesterol by 3 to 5%. That’s because soluble fiber binds to some of the dietary …