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Cocoa flavanol-enriched snack bars containing phytosterols effectively lower total and low-density lipoprotein cholester

Date:
Authors: Polagruto, J. A.; Wang-Polagruto, J. F.; Braun, M. M.; Lee, L.; Kwik-Uribe, C.; Keen, C. L.

BACKGROUND:

Dietary intervention studies incorporating phytosterol-enriched margarine spreads have reported significant decreases in total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in populations with both normal lipid levels and those with hypercholesterolemia. There is emerging support for more diverse and lower-fat phytosterol-enriched matrixes. Controversy exists, however, over whether phytosterol-enriched foods affect serum fat-soluble vitamins.

OBJECTIVE:
We investigated whether a flavanol-rich cocoa snack food containing phytosterols would decreasetotal and LDL cholesterol levels in subjects with hypercholesterolemia and significantly affect serum fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids.

DESIGN:
A randomized, double-blind parallel arm study design was used. Subjects were randomized to one of two dietary treatments: a cocoa flavanol-enriched snack bar containing 1.5 g phytosterol (n=32), or a control product containing no phytosterols (n=35). Subjects consumed two servings per day.

RESULTS:
Consumption of the phytosterol-enriched snack bars but not control bars for 6 weeks was associated with significant reductions in plasma total (4.7%; P<0.01) and LDL cholesterol (6%; P<0.01), and the ratio of total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (7.4%; P<0.001). There were no changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, or lipid-adjusted lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, alpha-carotene levels, or levels of serum vitamins A or E. A significant reduction in lipid-adjusted serum beta-carotene was observed in the phytosterol but not the no-phytosterol-added group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:
This study supports the use of a novel phytosterol-enriched snack bar to effectively reduce plasmatotal and LDL cholesterol levels in a population with hypercholesterolemia. The data suggest that the incorporation of this snack food into a balanced diet represents a practical dietary strategy in the management of serum cholesterol levels.

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