Carob pulp preparation rich in insoluble fibre lowers total and LDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients

Abstract

Background: Recently, insoluble fibre from carob pulp has been found to affect blood lipids in animals in a similar manner as soluble dietary fibre. Aim of the study: To investigate whether a carob pulp preparation containing high amounts of insoluble fibre has a beneficial effect on serum cholesterol in humans. Methods: Volunteers (n = 58) with hypercholesterolemia were recruited to participate in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled and parallel arm clinical study with a 6 week intervention phase. All participants consumed daily both, bread (two servings) and a fruit-bar (one serving) either with (n = 29) or without (n = 29) a total amount of 15 g/d of a carob pulp preparation (carob fibre). Serum concentrations of total, LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were assessed at baseline and after week 4 and 6. Results: The consumption of carob fibre reduced LDL cholesterol by 10.5 ± 2.2 % (p = 0.010). The LDL:HDL cholesterol ratio was marginally decreased by 7.9 ± 2.2 % in the carob fibre group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.058). Carob fibre consumption also lowered triglycerides in females by 11.3 ± 4.5 % (p = 0.030). Lipid lowering effects were more pronounced in females than in males. Conclusion: Daily consumption of food products enriched with carob fibre shows beneficial effects on human blood lipid profile and may be effective in prevention and treatment of hypercholesterolemia.