Oatmeal May Lower Cholesterol After Two-Day Regimen, Study Finds

A University of Bonn trial reported that people with metabolic syndrome who ate mainly oatmeal for two days while consuming about half their usual calories experienced nearly a 10% drop in LDL cholesterol compared with a calorie-restricted control group.

Researchers at the University of Bonn reported results from a brief clinical trial of people with metabolic syndrome. Participants were asked to eat primarily oatmeal for two days while consuming about half their normal daily calories. A control group was placed on a similar calorie-limited diet but was not restricted to oatmeal. The oatmeal group saw a nearly 10% drop in LDL cholesterol, while both groups experienced immediate improvements. Key details: - Study population: patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (excess body weight, high blood pressure, or hyperlipidemia). - Intervention: participants consumed primarily oatmeal for two days and ate around half their usual daily calories. - Comparison: a calorie-restricted control group followed a similar limited-calorie plan without being restricted to oatmeal. - Measured outcome: the oatmeal group experienced nearly a 10% reduction in LDL cholesterol; both groups showed immediate benefits in measured markers. - Context: LDL and triglycerides are commonly tracked as markers of cardiovascular risk, while HDL is identified as the "good" cholesterol. Summary: This short trial reported an association between two days of predominant oatmeal intake and a measurable reduction in LDL cholesterol among participants with metabolic syndrome. The finding describes a short-term dietary effect on cholesterol measurements. Undetermined at this time.