High cholesterol can be caused by a number of factors, and it's not just the foods we eat that can raise our levels — these drinks could be affecting yours too15:58, 24 May 2026High cholesterol can obstruct your heart's blood supply by blocking your arteries with fatty deposits, and it's not just down to certain foods. This waxy substance is produced in the liver and is present in our diet.High-fat foods and sugary drinks are among the main culprits of high cholesterol, from fizzy soft drinks to strong alcoholic beverages, all of which are recognised for increasing lipoprotein levels. While we require lipoproteins for healthy development, excessive 'bad' cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins, or LDL) can cause problems if it builds up.‌Maintaining an active lifestyle and a balanced diet typically keeps good and bad cholesterol in check.‌However, the festive season presents a challenge as indulgent eating habits threaten to dominate. The concentrated sugar in sugary fizzy drinks and processed fruit juices could increase unhealthy fat risks.Yet, the British Heart Foundation highlights that it's not only the obvious culprits that pose a danger; even the "healthy alternatives" can be misleading.The medical website Healthline reports a 53% greater risk of elevated triglycerides for regular consumers of sweet carbonated drinks and processed fruit juices compared to those who seldom have them.‌Excessive sugar intake has been identified as a key contributor to the rising rates of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol, all of which can trigger potentially fatal heart conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.The British Heart Foundation (BHF) offers guidance on the differences between fruit juices and whole fruits, reports Surrey Live.‌It advised: "Stick to 150mls, and a glass of pure, unsweetened juice can count as one of your five daily. But be aware that even though fruit juice will come with vitamins, it also contains free sugars – two to three tsp in a small glass."Remarkably, just a 150ml glass of orange juice contains the same amount of sugar as three whole oranges, yet lacks the filling fibre found in the fruit itself.Regarding so-called 'sugar-free' drinks, consumers should not be fooled by the label, as these beverages may still contain substances that could harm your health.‌As the BHF points out, such drinks frequently contain artificial sweeteners that don't cause blood sugar spikes, making them a viable option for those managing diabetes.Even so, Victoria Taylor, a dietician with more than a decade of experience in weight management and cardiovascular disease prevention programmes, cautions that they are far from a perfect solution.She said: "They [artificial sweeteners] might help you cut back on sugar, for example, in tea or fizzy drinks. But, ultimately, you need to reduce the total sweetness of your diet if you want to readjust your tastes in the long term."‌Yet alcohol presents an even more serious danger to cholesterol levels due to how it's processed in the liver; it's twice as damaging as sugary or caffeinated drinks.The British Heart Foundation (BHF) explained: "When you drink alcohol, it's broken down and rebuilt into triglycerides and cholesterol in the liver." They further add, "If your triglyceride levels become too high, they can build up in the liver, causing fatty liver disease."This condition impairs the liver's capacity to work effectively and to eliminate cholesterol from the blood, resulting in elevated cholesterol levels.Article continues belowMoreover, regular alcohol intake, which should be restricted to 14 units per week, is associated with weight gain, high blood pressure, and certain forms of cancer.