Oatmeal, a rich source of dietary fiber, has been discovered to lower cholesterol levels in over 40 separate research studies. It is thought that the oat fibers mix with cholesterol in the small intestine and carry the cholesterol out of the body instead of it being absorbed into the blood. The Food and Drug Administration is also convinced---oatmeal was the first food to carry the distinction on its label to lower cholesterol levels.Read about the benefits of oatmeal here.