RAW AND PROCESSED OAT INGREDIENTS LOWER PLASMA-CHOLESTEROL IN THE HAMSTER

The objective of this study was to determine if Oatrim, a product deve loped for use as a fat substitute, could also reduce plasma cholestero l due to its soluble dietary fiber content. Diets with soluble fiber c ontents of 0% (oat hydrolyzate) or 4.2-4.3% beta-glucan from oat or Oa trim were fed to hamsters for 21 days. All oat derived diets reduced s erum cholesterol compared to a control diet containing cellulose (p le ss than or equal to 0.05). The available carbohydrate produced by the Oatrim process correlated inversely (r(2)=0.95) with low density lipop rotein cholesterol concentration.