New research from BBC Two's Trust Me, I'm a Doctor has found that adding aubergine to your diet can significantly lower cholesterol levels. The study, conducted with 42 participants with raised cholesterol, tested three dietary changes over four weeks. One group consumed 75g of oats daily, another 65g of almonds, and the third reduced cholesterol-rich foods, replacing animal fats with vegetable-based ones.
The results showed that oats, which contain beta glucan, were effective at lowering LDL cholesterol. However, the most dramatic results came from a combined 'Portfolio Diet' followed by presenter Michael Mosley. This diet included oats, almonds, soy, and plant sterols, along with aubergine and okra for their sticky fibres. After four weeks, Mosley's total cholesterol dropped by 25% and LDL by 33%. After eight weeks, total cholesterol fell by 30% and LDL by 42%.
Dr Scott Harding from King's College London helped run the study. He explained that foods like aubergine trap bile acids and prevent cholesterol reabsorption. The Portfolio Diet, developed by Dr David J. A. Jenkins in 2002, combines multiple cholesterol-lowering mechanisms. Plant sterols block cholesterol absorption, while soy inhibits cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
With 60% of people in the UK having high cholesterol and around 8 million on statins, these natural alternatives could offer hope for those unable to take medication. The study suggests that dietary changes can be as effective as statins in reducing cholesterol levels.
