Is there cholesterol in plant-based foods?

Hello Everyone

My boyfriend’s cholesterol levels were slightly elevated, so I wanted to look for recipes containing little to no saturated fat, as I assumed these were linked to cholesterol. However, during my research, I read that only animal-based foods are supposed to contain cholesterol.

So does that mean that saturated fats from, for example, vegetable oils do not raise cholesterol levels? And could a plant-based diet be the solution here?

Thanks in advance :)

bumblebeelivinglife vegetable oils, especially coconut, raise your cholesterol levels. use oil sparingly and best only olive oil May 17

[deleted] [removed] May 17

neirein Wait, eggs contain cholesterol

edit: and milk too.

The animal they came from has a liver, but cholesterol is not only found in the liver. May 17 4 likes

MetabolicTwists They come from a chicken or another animal that lays eggs. They have a liver. May 17

neirein yeah but eating eggs or milk does not mean you're "eating the thing that has a liver". maybe you meant that but you formulated your comment in a way that sounds like only eating the animal itself makes you eat cholesterol. May 17 2 likes

MetabolicTwists Okay, I didn't intend that - the animal meat and byproducts. May 17 1 like

MenuraSuperba Cholesterol is synthesized by almost (but not literally) all animal cells, not just in the liver. It's also produced fungi and even by some plants such as tomatoes and types of algae, albeit in very small amounts. Open-access source: https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2025.2589493 May 17 3 likes

neirein Editing you comment and then saying "I don't know why I'm being downvoted" is a bit hypocritical. The comment was mis*leading* and *what it leads one to think* was indeed incorrect.

And also you added a part about how a person's own body can produce cholesterol from other fats in excess, which is also true, but it kinda goes against the initial claim of "don't eat animal stuff and you won't get it". You presenting it as if it simply completes what you said above is also confusing. May 17 2 likes

MetabolicTwists Okay. I deleted it. I'm sorry I didn't explain in a way that was understandable. May 17 2 likes

neirein thanks for not taking it personally! May 17 1 like