Background:
Recently, insoluble fibre from carob pulp has been found
to affect blood lipids in animals in a similar manner as soluble
dietary fibre.
Aim of the
study:
To investigate whether a carob pulp preparation
containing high amounts of insoluble fibre has a beneficial
effect on serum cholesterol in humans.
Methods:
Volunteers (n = 58) with hypercholesterolemia were
recruited to participate in a randomised, double- blind,
placebo-controlled and parallel arm clinical study with a 6 week
intervention phase. All participants consumed daily both, bread
(two servings) and a fruitbar (one serving) either with (n = 29)
or without (n = 29) a total amount of 15 g/d of a carob pulp
preparation (carob fibre). Serum concentrations of total, LDL
and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were assessed at baseline
and after week 4 and 6.
Results:
The consumption of carob fibre reduced LDL cholesterol by
10.5 ± 2.2% (p = 0.010). The LDL:HDL cholesterol ratio was
marginally decreased by 7.9 ± 2.2 % in the carob fibre group
compared to the placebo group (p = 0.058). Carob fibre
consumption also lowered triglycerides in females by 11.3 ± 4.5%
(p = 0.030). Lipid lowering effects were more pronounced in
females than in males.
Conclusion:
Daily consumption of food products enriched with carob
fibre shows beneficial effects on human blood lipid profile and
may be effective in prevention and treatment of
hypercholesterolemia.