Consuming functional foods containing plant sterols may an economically attractive means of lowering cholesterol, improving quality of life, and reducing cardiovascular events in elderly adults, a new reports argues.
For ingredients with a solid body of scientific substantiation for their cholesterol management claims, plant sterols perhaps do not get the attention they deserve from consumers and healthcare practitioners. BASF is seeking to change the conversation...
Cargill and FDA have jointly announced a new validated method for measuring the levels of plant sterols and stanols in foods and dietary supplements. The method, developed over a number of years, is simpler, more accurate and less prone to error, experts...
“It is one of our goals to work more in the major regulatory decision-making centres."
Six players – Danone, Raisio, Unilever, Cargill, BASF and Arboris – have formed a group to propel cholesterol-lowering plant stanols and sterols science into the media and policy spotlights to raise awareness of the multi-billion global euro category.
A combination of low dose omega-3s and plant sterols can effectively reduce both cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with elevated cholesterol levels, says a new study that should allay fears over omega-3s negating the effects of sterols.
France’s food safety agency (ANSES) has put itself at scientific odds with the EU’s central food science authority by concluding data is lacking to back plant sterols and stanols for cholesterol reduction.
Higher doses of plant stanols and sterols are equally effective at reducing cholesterol in susceptible individuals, a European Commission meeting has ruled despite stanols players claiming the scientific consensus shows their version is more efficacious.
Finnish plant stanol leader and Benecol brand owner Raisio says plant sterol users like rival Unilever (pro.activ) are piggybacking off stanol science in high-dose products and wants the EU to mount separate reviews of the cholesterol-busting nutrients.
The UK’s Advertising Standards Agency has ordered Unilever to pull two television commercials for Flora pro-activ that make cholesterol-lowering claims.
A mixture of B vitamins, fish oils and plant sterols shows promise in boosting heart health by improving the lipid profile of young people with high levels of cholesterol, according to new research.
Plant sterol and stanol consumption by those like children who do not have raised cholesterol could itself lead to heart problems, the German foods safety agency has said.
The stability of plant sterols in functional foods for cholesterol reduction is high, says a new study from Spain which adds to the safety data surrounding phytosterols.
Intakes of stanols in excess of the recommended 2 grams per day dose are associated with additional and dose-dependent reductions in LDL-cholesterol, according to a new meta-analysis of over 110 trials.
Amended European Union plant sterols/stanols health claims will permit products such as spreads and yoghurts to make claims with a lower content of the cholesterol-lowering ingredients.
Frequent low doses of plant sterols may be more effective at cutting cholesterol levels than one daily dose, say findings of a new North American study.
The influential UK-based consumer welfare advocate, Which?, has poured scorn on some functional foods, despite the fact 59 per cent of its highly sceptical members buy omega-3, probiotic and other functional foods.
NutraIngredient’s Snack Size Science brings you the week's top science. This week we look at a review of phytosterol science. Phytosterol-enriched margarines and other foods are spread thickly on supermarket shelves, and a new review says there is...
Cargill has joined forces with one of the country's largest grocery
stores to develop and launch a range of fat-free milk containing
branded Corowise plant sterols across the US - a range
that is claimed to be the first of its...
Chinese ingredients supplier Fenchem has received novel foods
notification for its Cholevel plant sterols in the EU, opening up
the way for the ingredient's direct use in foods.
Cargill plans to use next month's Health Ingredients Europe event
to unveil a number of products that food and beverage manufacturers
can use in future product launches.
The UK's Advertising Standards Agency seems to be tightening its
grip on health claims, with Unilever reportedly told to change
adverts for Flora pro.activ to remove claims that it can help keep
blood vessels healthy as well...
Cholesterol-lowering plant sterols look set to appear in more
product categories in Europe, since the EC Commission has given the
green-light for their use in dietary supplements and rye breads.
Snacking on bars containing plant sterols and glucomannan could
improve cholesterol levels of both diabetic and non-diabetics, but
had no effect on glucose control, reports a Canadian study.
General Mills has become the first company to introduce a yogurt
product containing cholesterol-lowering plant sterols to US
consumers, through its Yoplait brand.
Consuming products with plant sterols as well as exercising may
offer additional benefits for those at risk of coronary heart
disease, say Canadian researchers.
An innovative technology that allows for the addition of both plant
sterols and minerals to foods has won the backing of leading US
food manufacturer General Mills, which has licensed the product for
use in a range of foods.
Blending plant sterols with a fatty acid found in beef tallow may
make them both more effective and more versatile for food firms
producing cholesterol-lowering products, suggests US research.
Finland has introduced the EU's new labelling requirements for food
containing plant sterols and stanols this week, which could produce
innovative products.
New requirements from European regulatory authorities could play a
significant role in the success of the next wave of foods
containing cholesterol-lowering plant sterols, writes Dominique
Patton.
Many African HIV sufferers are benefiting from a combination of
plant sterols and sterolins, according to Professor Patrick Bouic,
chief immunologist at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, South
Africa. Now he is hoping to win support...
