• The blueberry is an effective cholesterol-lowering fruit.Blueberries image by Lucas & Jenn from Fotolia.com
  
  A low-cholesterol diet is one of the best options to improve heart health, according to a WebMD article reviewed by Dr. Brunilda Nazario. This is because high levels of cholesterol are linked with heart disease, yet can be positively impacted by changing a diet. Another dietary modification that can assist in lowering cholesterol levels is to add fruit to your daily intake.
  
  

Fibrous Fruits

• Fruits high in soluble fiber lower cholesterol. Some examples of fruits that contain this cholesterol-lowering substance include apples, apricots, berries, dates, mangoes, papayas, oranges and prunes. Cranberries and guavas in particular are exceptionally high in fiber.
  
  

Fruits Containing Pectin

• A type of fiber that is especially useful in lowering cholesterol is called pectin. Some fruits that contain pectin include apricots, cherries and citrus fruits. Apples are also high in pectin. To get the benefits of pectin, it is important to eat the whole fruit. The pectin and other nutrients may be processed out when making fruit juice.
  
  

Fruits Containing Sterols

• Plant sterols are substances that can assist in lowering cholesterol levels and are found in fruits and vegetables. Fruits that are a good source of sterols include apples, avocados, tomatoes and blueberries. Foods That Heal recommends eating a diet high in sterols to get the maximum heart-health benefit.
  
  

Blueberries

• The Foods That Heal website reports a U.S. Department of Agriculture finding that a specific fruit, blueberries, may be more effective in lowering cholesterol levels than some cholesterol medications. In addition to fiber, blueberries contain pterostilbene. This is a compound that causes liver cells to create a cholesterol-lowering response. Therefore, blueberries are high on the list of fruits that lower cholesterol.
  
  

Grapes

• Another specific fruit that has been implicated in studies to lower cholesterol is the grape. Grapes contain pterostilben in addition to another similar working compound called resveratol. A 2008 study by Madrid University researchers and published in "Nutrition," as reported by Foods That Heal, found that individuals who daily drank a juice created from the skin and seeds of red grapes had a 14 percent drop in cholesterol levels at the end of 16 weeks.