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Plant sterol ester–enriched milk and yoghurt effectively reduce serum cholesterol in modestly hypercholesterolemic subjects

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Summary

Background

The cholesterol–lowering efficacy of plant sterol esters (PSteE) or stanol esters (PStaE) in regular– and low–fat spreads has been consistently demonstrated, while their effectiveness in a low–fat, aqueous food carrier such as milk and yoghurt is less well established.

Aim of the study

Two studies were carried out to assess the cholesterol–lowering effect of PSteE–enriched low-fat milk and PSteE– and PStaE–enriched low–fat yoghurt in modestly hypercholesterolemic subjects (total cholesterol between 5–7.5 mmol/l).

Methods

Study one was a single blind crossover design with 4 phases of 3–week interventions. Subjects consumed 300ml/d of placebo or PSteE–milk (2.0 g plant sterols/d) alone or combined with 25 g/d of placebo or PSteE–spread. Study two was a fully randomised, double blind crossover design with 3 phases of 3–week interventions. Subjects consumed 2 portions (150 g tubs each) of placebo, PSteE–yoghurt (1.8 g plant sterols/d) or PStaE–yoghurt (1.7 g plant stanols/d). In study one 39 subjects (21 men and 18 women) and in study two 40 subjects (17 men and 23 women) completed the dietary intervention.

Results

In study one, PSteE–milk and PSteE–spread were equally efficacious in lowering total and LDL–cholesterol as compared to placebo by 6–8% and 8–10%, respectively. No significant additional cholesterol–lowering was observed with the combination of PSteE–milk and PSteE–spread (4 g plant sterols/d). PSteE–enriched milk and the combination of PSteE–enriched milk plus spread both lowered lipid–adjusted serum β–carotene concentrations by 10–14% (P < 0.02),while the PSteE–rich spread alone did not significantly alter serum β–carotene levels. In study two, the PSteE– and PStaE–enriched yoghurts reduced LDL–cholesterol significantly compared to placebo by 0.27 ± 0.05 mmol/l (6%) and 0.23 ± 0.05 mmol/l (5 %), respectively. In both studies, there was no effect on HDL–cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations.

Conclusion

Plant sterols in the form of their esters when provided in lowfat milk and yoghurt are effective in lowering total and LDL–cholesterol.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

body mass index

PSteE:

plant sterol esters

PStaE:

plant stanol esters

TC:

total cholesterol

LDL:

low density lipoprotein

HDL:

high density lipoprotein

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIRO Health Sciences and Nutrition, Adelaide, Australia

    Manny Noakes & P. M. Clifton

  2. 10041, Adelaide, BC SA 5000, Australia

    Manny Noakes

  3. Unilever Health Institute, Unilever Research & Development, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands

    A. M. E. Doornbos & E. A. Trautwein

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  1. Manny Noakes
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  2. P. M. Clifton
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  3. A. M. E. Doornbos
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  4. E. A. Trautwein
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Correspondence to Manny Noakes.

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Supported by Unilever Research and Development.

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Noakes, M., Clifton, P.M., Doornbos, A.M.E. et al. Plant sterol ester–enriched milk and yoghurt effectively reduce serum cholesterol in modestly hypercholesterolemic subjects. Eur J Nutr 44, 214–222 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-004-0513-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-004-0513-z

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