| Affiliation: | (1) Institute for Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114–116, 14558 Bergholz-Rehbrücke, Germany;(2) German Institute of Human Nutrition, Dept. of Intervention Studies, Bergholz-Rehbrücke, Germany;(3) In Balance, Center for Conventional Medicine & Alternative Therapies, Berlin, Germany;(4) Nutrinova Nutrition Specialties & Food Ingredients GmbH, Frankfurt/Main, Germany;(5) Phytopharm Research (analyze&realize ag), Berlin, Germany |
| Abstract: | Summary. Background: Recently, insoluble fibre from carob pulp has been foundto affect blood lipids in animals in a similar manner as solubledietary fibre. Aim of thestudy: To investigate whether a carob pulp preparationcontaining high amounts of insoluble fibre has a beneficialeffect on serum cholesterol in humans. Methods: Volunteers (n = 58) with hypercholesterolemia wererecruited to participate in a randomised, double- blind,placebo-controlled and parallel arm clinical study with a 6 weekintervention 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 pulppreparation (carob fibre). Serum concentrations of total, LDLand HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were assessed at baselineand after week 4 and 6. Results: The consumption of carob fibre reduced LDL cholesterol by10.5 ± 2.2% (p = 0.010). The LDL:HDL cholesterol ratio wasmarginally decreased by 7.9 ± 2.2 % in the carob fibre groupcompared to the placebo group (p = 0.058). Carob fibreconsumption also lowered triglycerides in females by 11.3 ± 4.5%(p = 0.030). Lipid lowering effects were more pronounced infemales than in males. Conclusion: Daily consumption of food products enriched with carobfibre shows beneficial effects on human blood lipid profile andmay be effective in prevention and treatment ofhypercholesterolemia. |
