Plant sterols impact absorption of other nutrients

Related tags Plant sterol esters Photosynthesis Nutrition

Scientists at Nestlé's research centre have demonstrated that plant
sterols, added to foods to reduce cholesterol absorption, also
reduce the body's ability to absorb the carotenoid beta-carotene
and vitamin E.

But this secondary effect is greater with sterol esters than free sterols.

It is not yet known how plant sterols act on the bioavailability of carotenoids and alpha-tocopherol.

The researchers recruited 26 normocholesterolemic men to a double-blind, randomized, crossover study. Everyday subjects consumed either a low-fat milk-based beverage, the same beverage supplemented with 2.2 g plant sterol equivalents provided as free sterols and the same drink with plant sterol esters for one week, and then crossed over.

The researchers report in this month's American Journal of Clinical Nutrition​ that both of the milks enriched with plant sterols reduced cholesterol absorption by 60 per cent.

Both also reduced the bioavailability of beta-carotene by around 50 per cent and that of alpha-tocopherol by around 20 per cent but the reduction in beta-carotene bioavailability was significantly less with plant free sterols than with plant sterol esters.

At the limit of significance in the area under the curve, the reduction in alpha-tocopherol bioavailability was also less with plant free sterols than with plant sterol esters.

Related news

Related products

show more

Krill oil supports six key areas of healthy aging

Krill oil supports six key areas of healthy aging

Content provided by Aker BioMarine | 23-Feb-2024 | White Paper

The global population is getting older—according to WHO by 2050 the world’s population over 60 years will double and the population above 80 years will...

Nutritional Solutions for Women's Health

Nutritional Solutions for Women's Health

Content provided by INNOBIO Corporation Limited | 04-Oct-2023 | White Paper

INNOBIO provides innovative solutions for women to overcome a variety of health challenges throughout the life cycle, from emotional health, PMS management,...

Golden Omega® Sustainability Strategy

Golden Omega® Sustainability Strategy

Content provided by LEHVOSS Nutrition | 11-Sep-2023 | Data Sheet

Commitment to sustainability at Golden Omega® is ever growing as they continue to put objectives in place to secure a better environment for the future....

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars