Effect of cocoa bran on low-density lipoprotein oxidation and fecal bulking.
BACKGROUND
Legumes have reported benefits in terms of reduced risk for coronary heart disease and of colonic health. A novel legume fiber, cocoa bran, also may have favorable health effects on serum lipid levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol oxidation, and fecal bulk.


METHODS
Twenty-five healthy normolipidemic subjects (13 men and 12 women) (mean +/- SEM age, 37 +/- 2 years; mean +/- SEM body mass index [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters], 24.6 +/- 0.7) ate cocoa-bran and chocolate-flavored low-fiber breakfast cereals for 2-week periods, with 2-week washout, in a double-blind crossover study. The cocoa-bran cereal provided 25.0 g/d of total dietary fiber (TDF). The low-fiber cereal (5.6 g/d TDF) was of similar appearance and energy value. Fasting blood samples were obtained at the start and end of each period, and 4-day fecal collections were made from days 11 through 14.


RESULTS
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level was higher (7.6% +/- 2.9%; P =.02) and the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio was lower (6.7% +/- 2.3%; P =.007) for cocoa-bran compared with low-fiber cereal at 2 weeks. No effect was seen on LDL cholesterol oxidation. Mean fecal output was significantly higher for cocoa-bran than for low-fiber cereal (56 +/- 14 g/d; P<.001) and equal to the increase seen in the same subjects with wheat fiber in a previous study.


CONCLUSIONS
A chocolate-flavored cocoa-bran cereal increased fecal bulk similarly to wheat bran and was associated with a reduction in the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio. In view of the low-fat, high-fiber nature of the material, these results suggest a possible role for this novel fiber source in the diets of normal, hyperlipidemic, and constipated subjects.
Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
D J
DJ
Jenkins
C W
CW
Kendall
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V
Vuksan
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E
Vidgen
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E
Wong
L S
LS
Augustin
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V
Fulgoni
D000328:Adult; D002099:Cacao; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003248:Constipation / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D002523:Edible Grain; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004043:Dietary Fiber