Benecol
Encyclopedia
Benecol' is a brand of cholesterol
lowering food products owned by and is a trademark of Finnish
company Raisio Group
.
Raisio Group licenses the Benecol brand and sells the effective and safe cholesterol lowering ingredient, Plant stanol ester, to food companies around the world. The brand is licensed in more than 30 countries by local food companies such as McNeil Nutritionals
in the UK, Ireland, Belgium & the US, Kaiku in Spain, Colanta in Colombia and Kalbe Nutritionals in Indonesia.
approved the following statement regarding Benecol products: "Plant stanol esters have been shown to lower/reduce blood cholesterol. Blood cholesterol lowering may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease" but noted that "there are no studies demonstrating that plant stanol esters have an impact on population-based CHD morbidity and mortality rates".
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
of England
and Wales
similarly found that while "[t]here is evidence that foods containing plant sterols and stanols reduce cholesterol levels", the government body concludes that "there is not enough evidence at the moment that these products prevent cardiovascular disease."
Consuming more than 3g of plant stanol per day is not recommended and Benecol foods may not be appropriate for pregnant or breast feeding women, and children under 5 years old.
There are over 60 clinical studies proving that plant stanol ester lowers cholesterol levels.
Benecol foods have been found as a dietary cost-effective way to reduce cholesterol
and they also can help lower cholesterol in people that are taking statins however it is important that those already taking cholesterol lowering medication consult with their GP before embarking on dietary cholesterol programmes.
The review, published in European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, in January 2009 listed plant stanol ester among the ten greatest discoveries related to nutrition during the past 30 years. The discoveries chosen were based on the views of the world's leading nutrition researchers and solid research data.
Yogurt Drinks
Each bottle contains 2g of cholesterol lowering plant stanols. Benecol Yogurt Drinks are available in a number of different flavours and also includes a Dairy Free Fruit and Soya variety.
Spread
Benecol spread, as marketed in Finland, is a product containing 32% fat. The main source of fat is rapeseed (canola) oil. Later varieties of Benecol spread in the UK include Olive Spread (55% fat), Buttery Taste Spread (63% fat) and Light Spread (35% Fat).
Yogurts
Low fat bio yoghurts are available in a range of different flavours. In the UK and Ireland, each yogurt has 1 serving of Benecol (0.8g plant stanols). Outside of the UK and Ireland, each yogurt contains 2g of plant stanols.
Cream Cheese Spread
20g, or 4 level teaspoons of Benecol Cream Cheese Style Spread, equals one serving (0.8g of plant stanols).
Bread
4 slices of Dobrogea Benecol Rye Bread contains the daily intake of 2g of plant stanols.
For best results, Benecol foods should be eaten with a main meal and as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle including 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a complex isoprenoid. Specifically, it is a waxy steroid of fat that is produced in the liver or intestines. It is used to produce hormones and cell membranes and is transported in the blood plasma of all mammals. It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes...
lowering food products owned by and is a trademark of Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
company Raisio Group
Raisio Group
Raisio Oyj, known internationally as Raisio Group , is a Finnish company that makes cereal products, animal feeds and engage in life-sciences. Raisio produces Benecol, a ingredient used in a range of Cholesterol-reducing spreads, dairy products and condiments marketed under its Benecol brand name...
.
Raisio Group licenses the Benecol brand and sells the effective and safe cholesterol lowering ingredient, Plant stanol ester, to food companies around the world. The brand is licensed in more than 30 countries by local food companies such as McNeil Nutritionals
McNeil Nutritionals
McNeil Nutritionals, LLC is a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, and sells a range of products including Viactiv and the branded sucralose sweetener Splenda....
in the UK, Ireland, Belgium & the US, Kaiku in Spain, Colanta in Colombia and Kalbe Nutritionals in Indonesia.
Effects on health
The European CommissionEuropean Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
approved the following statement regarding Benecol products: "Plant stanol esters have been shown to lower/reduce blood cholesterol. Blood cholesterol lowering may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease" but noted that "there are no studies demonstrating that plant stanol esters have an impact on population-based CHD morbidity and mortality rates".
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is a special health authority of the English National Health Service , serving both English NHS and the Welsh NHS...
of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
similarly found that while "[t]here is evidence that foods containing plant sterols and stanols reduce cholesterol levels", the government body concludes that "there is not enough evidence at the moment that these products prevent cardiovascular disease."
Effects on cholesterol
The European Commission has authorised that an LDL-cholesterol lowering effect of 7 - 10% can be achieved in 2–3 weeks by a daily intake of plant stanol esters equivalent to 1.5 – 2.4 g of plant stanols in an appropriate food.Consuming more than 3g of plant stanol per day is not recommended and Benecol foods may not be appropriate for pregnant or breast feeding women, and children under 5 years old.
There are over 60 clinical studies proving that plant stanol ester lowers cholesterol levels.
Benecol foods have been found as a dietary cost-effective way to reduce cholesterol
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a complex isoprenoid. Specifically, it is a waxy steroid of fat that is produced in the liver or intestines. It is used to produce hormones and cell membranes and is transported in the blood plasma of all mammals. It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes...
and they also can help lower cholesterol in people that are taking statins however it is important that those already taking cholesterol lowering medication consult with their GP before embarking on dietary cholesterol programmes.
The review, published in European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, in January 2009 listed plant stanol ester among the ten greatest discoveries related to nutrition during the past 30 years. The discoveries chosen were based on the views of the world's leading nutrition researchers and solid research data.
About the products
The first Benecol product was a spread that was brought to market in Finland in 1995. Since then, the product line has expanded to fat spreads, yogurts, yogurt drinks, cream cheese style spreads, milk and soy drinks, bread and oatmeal. The availability of different products varies in different countries.Yogurt Drinks
Each bottle contains 2g of cholesterol lowering plant stanols. Benecol Yogurt Drinks are available in a number of different flavours and also includes a Dairy Free Fruit and Soya variety.
Spread
Benecol spread, as marketed in Finland, is a product containing 32% fat. The main source of fat is rapeseed (canola) oil. Later varieties of Benecol spread in the UK include Olive Spread (55% fat), Buttery Taste Spread (63% fat) and Light Spread (35% Fat).
Yogurts
Low fat bio yoghurts are available in a range of different flavours. In the UK and Ireland, each yogurt has 1 serving of Benecol (0.8g plant stanols). Outside of the UK and Ireland, each yogurt contains 2g of plant stanols.
Cream Cheese Spread
20g, or 4 level teaspoons of Benecol Cream Cheese Style Spread, equals one serving (0.8g of plant stanols).
Bread
4 slices of Dobrogea Benecol Rye Bread contains the daily intake of 2g of plant stanols.
For best results, Benecol foods should be eaten with a main meal and as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle including 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day.