WHAT ARE PLANT STEROLS?

Plant sterol facts

Plant sterols occur naturally in small amounts in plant foods we eat every day. They are found in nuts and seeds, vegetable oils, grains and vegetables. Plant sterols do have the same function in plants as cholesterol has in animals and humans. Therefore, their structure is very similar.

The plant sterols in Flora pro-activ spreads are obtained from vegetable oils.

How plant sterols lower cholesterol absorption

Scientists have found that plant sterols can decrease our cholesterol absorption from food. But not only the cholesterol from food - they also prevent the re-absorption of cholesterol within the body.

As the structure of plant sterols is very similar to cholesterol, plant sterols can block the entrance of cholesterol from the gut into the bloodstream. The cholesterol that is not absorbed is removed from the body. As a result, less cholesterol circulates in our system.



Plant sterols and Flora pro-activ

The optimal daily intake of plant sterols is about 2 g, which is 5 times more than the average plant sterol content of a regular diet. Plant sterols are added to Flora pro-activ spreads for lowering cholesterol absorption. 25 grams of Flora pro-activ spread (the equivalent to what you would spread on 3-4 slices of bread) each day contains the right amount of plant sterols to lower cholesterol absorption.

We recommend consuming Flora pro-activ in a diet low in saturated fat and being physically active.



The scientific evidence for plant sterols

The effects of plant sterols on cholesterol have been known since the 1950s, with several hundred studies published which support their efficacy and safety. Since the late 1980s Unilever, in collaboration with many independent scientific investigators, has extensively researched this effect of plant sterols in over 40 clinical trials.

For further information on the scientific evidence, please contact us here.