0
0
A recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition has demonstrated that bran-enriched corn flour significantly lowers LDL cholesterol levels in adults with elevated cholesterol. This finding highlights the potential health benefits of incorporating corn-based foods into the diet, particularly for managing cholesterol levels.
Health Benefits of Whole Grains
Whole grains have long been recognized for their health benefits due to their rich content of dietary fiber and bioactive compounds such as polyphenols. These compounds are associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Most research on whole grains has focused on wheat, but corn, with its similar fiber content and additional bioactive components like hemicellulose, cellulose, arabinoxylan, and ferulic acid, also shows promise.
Study Overview
The study, which spanned from March 2018 to August 2023, enrolled 54 healthy adults aged 18 to 70 with mild-to-moderate elevated LDL cholesterol levels. Participants were randomly assigned to consume either whole-grain corn meal (WCM), refined corn meal with bran (RCM + B), or refined corn meal (RCM) for four weeks, with two-week washout periods between interventions. The study focused on the effects of these diets on LDL cholesterol levels and gut microbiota (GM) composition.
Key Findings
- LDL Cholesterol Reduction: Participants consuming RCM + B experienced a notable reduction in LDL cholesterol levels, with approximately 70% of them showing reductions greater than 5%. This effect was not observed in those consuming WCM or RCM.
- Compliance and Satisfaction: Compliance with the intervention was high, over 95% for all groups. Participants reported no significant differences in gastrointestinal symptoms or stool characteristics among the different corn flour treatments. Both pita bread and muffins made from the corn-based products were well accepted.
- Gut Microbiota Analysis: The study found minimal changes in GM composition. Although some differences in microbiota abundance were noted, they did not correlate significantly with LDL cholesterol reductions.
Conclusion
This study supports the use of bran-enriched corn products as an effective dietary strategy for managing elevated LDL cholesterol levels. With a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol observed among participants consuming RCM + B, these findings suggest that incorporating bran-enriched corn flour into the diet could offer a beneficial alternative for cholesterol management.
The study’s results underscore the need for further research to explore the specific components and mechanisms through which different forms of corn impact cardiometabolic health and gut microbiota.
Reference: Liedike, B., Khatib, M., Tabarsi, B., et al. (2024). Evaluating the Effects of Corn Flour Product Consumption on Cardiometabolic Outcomes and the Gut Microbiota in Adults with Elevated Cholesterol: A Randomized Crossover. The Journal of Nutrition. doi:10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.06.003
