title: Persimmon fruit tannin-rich fiber reduces cholesterol levels in humans.
abstract: Bile acid-binding agents are known to lower blood cholesterol levels and have been clinically used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. We previously showed that tannin-rich fiber from young persimmon (Diospyros kaki) fruits had bile acid-binding properties. In this study, we performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the hypocholesterolemic effects of tannin-rich fiber in humans. The subjects (n = 40, plasma total cholesterol levels 180-259 mg/dl) were divided into 3 groups and ingested cookie bars containing 0 g (placebo group, n = 14), 3 g (low-dose group, n = 13), or 5 g (high-dose group, n = 13) of tannin-rich fiber 3 times daily before meals for 12 weeks. Plasma total cholesterol levels decreased significantly in the low-dose (12 weeks, p < 0.005) and high-dose (6 weeks, p < 0.05; 12 weeks, p < 0.001) groups. In addition, plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased significantly in the high-dose group (6 weeks, p < 0.05; 12 weeks, p < 0.001). These improvements were not accompanied by changes in plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or plasma triglyceride levels. Our findings indicate that tannin-rich fiber from young persimmon fruits is a useful food material for treating hypercholesterolemia.
authors.affiliation: Nakano BC Co., Ltd., Kainan, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gato
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kadowaki
authors.forename: Natsumi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.forename: Shin-ichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000032:analysis; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D029788:Diospyros / Q000737:chemistry*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013634:Tannins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013634:Tannins; D014280:Triglycerides