title: Effect of consumption of dried California mission figs on lipid concentrations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Figs are a rich source of soluble fiber. We evaluated the effect of consuming dried California Mission figs on serum lipids in hyperlipidemic adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a crossover trial men and women aged 30-75 years with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (100-189 mg/dl) were randomized to add dried California Mission figs (120 g/day) to their usual diet for 5 weeks or eat their usual diet for 5 weeks, then crossed over to the other condition for another 5 weeks. Six 24-hour dietary recalls were obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations did not differ between usual and figs-added diets (Bonferroni-corrected p > 0.017), while total cholesterol tended to increase with fig consumption (p = 0.02). Total cholesterol increased in participants (n = 41) randomized to usual followed by figs-added diet (p = 0.01), but remained unchanged in subjects (n = 42) who started with figs-added followed by usual diet (p = 0.4). During the figs-added diet, soluble fiber intake was 12.6 ± 3.7 versus 8.2 ± 4.1 g/day in the usual diet (p < 0.0001). Sugar intake increased from 23.4 ± 6.5 to 32.2 ± 6.3% of kcal in the figs-added diet (p < 0.0001). Body weight did not change (p = 0.08).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Daily consumption of figs did not reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Triglyceride concentrations were not significantly changed despite an increase in sugar intake.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University, School of Public Health, Calif., USA.
authors.forename: Joycelyn M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: Ella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kearney
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tonstad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004032:Diet; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D030681:Ficus; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D014280:Triglycerides