Clinical study shows Cheerios can help reduce cholesterol by 10% in one month

NEW ORLEANS Research presented Monday at the Experimental Biology Meeting revealed Cheerios can help lower cholesterol by 10% in one month.

The study, which was conducted and presented by Provident Clinical Research, found that eating two 1.5-cup servings of Cheerios daily, as part of a reduced-calorie diet low in fat, lowered LDL or "bad" cholesterol about 10% in one month. Cheerios is the only leading ready-to-eat cereal clinically proven to lower cholesterol.

"We monitored the diets of study participants for 12 weeks, and a clinical evaluation of their cholesterol levels showed coupling Cheerios with a reduced calorie diet significantly helps lower LDL cholesterol levels," said Kevin C. Maki, Ph.D. of Provident Clinical Research. "We were impressed with how effectively eating Cheerios daily as part of a reduced calorie diet lowered bad cholesterol. These are simple changes that are easy for most people to make."

The study also showed eating Cheerios as part of a reduced-calorie diet low in fat lowers bad cholesterol twice as much in 12 weeks than a reduced calorie diet low in fat without Cheerios. In addition to the cholesterol-lowering benefits, the study found that eating Cheerios as part of a reduced calorie diet lowered weight by five pounds and shrank waists by three centimeters (1.2 inches) in 12 weeks, both of which can help reduce risk for heart disease.

"Cheerios always has been good for you, and this study is further proof that improving heart health can be a reality with a few simple steps, like eating Cheerios daily and cutting calories," said Thierry Ibri, Marketing Director, Cheerios. "Now when people enjoy the No. 1 cereal in America they can feel confident they are taking a positive step towards getting healthier by helping to lower their cholesterol."

According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 98.6 million adults in the United States have total blood cholesterol levels of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or above, which is considered high risk since cholesterol plays a part in serious health problems including heart attack, stroke and heart disease.