WASHINGTON — A new study set to be published in the Journal of Nutrition reveals that incorporating foods made from a blend of refined corn meal and corn bran into the diet can lead to a notable decrease in LDL cholesterol levels over four weeks.
Conducted by researchers from Arizona State University’s College of Health Solutions and funded by the North American Millers’ Association (NAMA), the study found that the corn meal/corn bran blend lowered LDL cholesterol concentrations by 5% to 13.3%. This research, announced by the Grain Foods Foundation, underscores the potential health benefits of including these corn-derived products in daily meals.
“People often underestimate the impact that dietary changes, even subtle ones, can have on cardiovascular health and metabolic regulation,” remarked Dr. Corrie Whisner, lead researcher and associate professor at Arizona State University. “Corn, when refined and combined with its bran, not only enhances the taste of foods but also delivers tangible improvements in heart health.”
The study involved 36 adult participants, aged 18 to 67, who had mildly to moderately elevated cholesterol levels. Over the course of the study, each participant rotated through three interventions: refined corn meal, whole grain corn meal, and the refined corn meal/corn bran blend. Following a minimum two-week washout period between interventions, it was observed that while diets with refined or whole grain corn meal showed no significant changes in LDL cholesterol, 70% of those consuming the blend experienced a reduction in cholesterol levels.
The research team, led by clinical diet technician Bethany Liedike, ensured consistency by providing participants with baked goods containing controlled amounts of corn flour throughout the study. Importantly, participants did not alter their overall grain intake during the research period, maintaining the study’s dietary integrity.
Dr. Whisner highlighted the dual benefits of the study’s findings: not only does the incorporation of corn bran in food products enhance their nutritional profile, but it also offers a practical approach to improving cardiovascular health through diet.
For more details on the study’s methodology and comprehensive findings, readers can anticipate the upcoming publication in the Journal of Nutrition, which promises to delve deeper into the potential health impacts of corn-based dietary interventions.