Dietary effect of fermented soymilk on lipid metabolism and intestinal flora

The effects of fermented soymilk on lipid metabolism and intestinal environ ment were investigated on rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed on high-f at diets containing 15% (convert in protein) of fermented soymilk for 5 wee ks. The fecal cholesterol, and serum cholesterol, triglyceride and phosphol ipid concentration were significantly decreased (p<0.01) in those rats fed on fermented soymilk when compared with the high-fat diet. The mean fecal w ater content and fecal weight were significantly increased (p<0.05) in thos e rats fed on fermented soymilk when compared with the high-fat diet. The n umber of clostridia, including Clostridium perfringens, in faces were signi ficantly increased (p<0.01) during the high-fat diet. During the fermented soymilk intake, the counts of Clostridium perfringens, were decreased signi ficantly (p<0.05) compared with the values before the intake. The number of Bifidobacteria, Bacteroides and Eubacteria were increased slightly during the intake. Fecal concentration of ammonia and indole were decreased slight ly during the intake. The results obtained showed that the fermented soymil k intake improved the serum cholesterol concentration and intestinal enviro nment.