A Prospective Randomized Trial for Reduction of Serum Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) with Plant Stanol Ester Mixed in Coffee in a Hypercholesterolemic Thai Population.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether replacing ordinary coffee with coffee mixed with the plant stanol ester decreases the serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) level in moderately hypercholesterolemic Thais. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a common daily coffee was conducted on May 1, 2012 with continued treatment and follow-up through June 1, 2012. A total of 54 Thais whose serum LDL levels ranged from 130 to 239 mg/dL at randomization, were enrolled and randomized into two groups. The participants consumed a cup of plant stanol mixed coffee or a cup of placebo coffee once a day. The percentage of serum LDL reduction was measured at the end of the study. RESULTS: Thirty-three subjects were randomized into each group. Forty-seven subjects completed the study, 30 in the group receiving coffee with added plant stanols as ester and 17 in the placebo coffee group. Statistical analysis was done by unpaired t-test using PASW (Predictive Analytics SoftWare) Statistics 18 (SPSS Inc., IL, USA). The results showed a signifi cant difference in mean reduction of LDL levels (p < 0.001, 95% CI = 6.92 – 18.57). The means were 12.77% in the fi rst group and 0.03% in the second group (SD = 9.33 and 9.88, respectively). CONCLUSION: Among this population of hypercholesterolemic Thais, the daily replacement of an ordinary cup of coffee with a plant stanol mixed coffee reduced serum LDL levels by 12.77% demonstrating the effi cacy of the cholesterol-lowering ingredient in the new food matrix.