February 5, 2026

Cholesterol: understand and reduce it with plant-based foods

Cholesterol is at the heart of public health concerns. In France, nearly one in five adults has cholesterol levels that are too high. The good news: diet is the primary lever for action. And replacing butter with a plant oil like Holéo is one of the simplest and most effective steps you can take.

What exactly is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a lipid that is essential for the body to function: it forms part of cell membranes and is used to produce certain hormones. But in excess, it becomes a major cardiovascular risk factor.

There are two types of cholesterol:

• LDL ("bad cholesterol"): it deposits on arterial walls and can block them.
• HDL ("good cholesterol"): it helps clean the arteries by transporting cholesterol to the liver.

The goal is therefore to reduce LDL and maintain a good HDL level.

The role of dietary fats

What most influences your cholesterol level is not directly the cholesterol content of foods, but the types of fat you consume:

• Saturated fatty acids (butter, cream, cheese, fatty meat): they raise LDL. Butter contains 51 g per 100 g.
• Unsaturated fatty acids (vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, fish): they help reduce LDL and increase HDL.

Butter vs Holéo: the cholesterol comparison

Criterion	Butter (100 g)	Holéo (100 ml)
Cholesterol	215 mg	0 mg
Saturated fatty acids	51 g	8.4 g
Monounsaturated fatty acids	21 g	44 g
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3/6)	3 g	40 g

Holéo contains 6 times fewer saturated fatty acids than butter and zero cholesterol. It is naturally rich in unsaturated fatty acids.

The omega-3 / omega-6 duo

Holéo combines two complementary oils:

• Rapeseed oil: one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid). These essential fatty acids contribute to maintaining a normal blood cholesterol level.
• Sunflower oil: rich in omega-6 (linoleic acid) and vitamin E, a natural antioxidant.

This blend offers a balanced omega-6/omega-3 ratio, as recommended by health authorities for cardiovascular prevention.

5 simple steps to lower cholesterol

1. Replace butter with Holéo: in cooking, baking and dressing. The most immediate action you can take.
2. Favor plant proteins: legumes, tofu, tempeh alongside animal proteins.
3. Eat fiber: fruits, vegetables, whole grains. Soluble fiber traps cholesterol in the intestine.
4. Limit ultra-processed foods: often rich in hidden saturated fats and trans fatty acids.
5. Exercise regularly: 30 minutes a day is enough to improve the HDL/LDL ratio.

A simple everyday change

Replacing butter with Holéo requires no special effort. Holéo has the same buttery flavor, works in all recipes, and requires no technical adaptation. In baking, simply replace 100 g of butter with 60 ml of Holéo. The result is indulgent, with 40% less fat and a much better lipid profile.