Cheerios® Can Help Reduce Cholesterol 10 Percent in One Month
Clinical Study Results Presented at the Experimental Biology Meeting
04/20/2009
Research presented today at the Experimental Biology Meeting revealed Cheerios can help lower cholesterol by 10 percent in one month.
The study, which was conducted and presented by Provident Clinical Research, found that eating two 1 1/2 cup servings of Cheerios daily, as part of a reduced calorie diet low in fat, lowered LDL or “bad” cholesterol about 10 percent in one month. Cheerios is the only leading ready-to-eat cereal clinically proven to lower cholesterol.
“We monitored the diets of study participants for 12 weeks, and a clinical evaluation of their cholesterol levels showed coupling Cheerios with a reduced calorie diet significantly helps lower LDL cholesterol levels,” said Kevin C. Maki, Ph.D. of Provident Clinical Research. “We were impressed with how effectively eating Cheerios daily as part of a reduced calorie diet lowered bad cholesterol. These are simple changes that are easy for most people to make.”
The study also showed eating Cheerios as part of a reduced calorie diet low in fat lowers bad cholesterol twice as much in 12 weeks than a reduced calorie diet low in fat without Cheerios. In addition to the cholesterol-lowering benefits, the study found that eating Cheerios as part of a reduced calorie diet lowered weight by five pounds and shrank waists by three centimeters (1.2 inches) in 12 weeks, both of which can help reduce risk for heart disease.
“Cheerios always has been good for you, and this study is further proof that improving heart health can be a reality with a few simple steps, like eating Cheerios daily and cutting calories,” said Thierry Ibri, Marketing Director, Cheerios. “Now when people enjoy the No. 1 cereal in America they can feel confident they are taking a positive step towards getting healthier by helping to lower their cholesterol.”
According to the American Heart Association, an estimated 98.6 million adults in the United States have total blood cholesterol levels of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or above, which is considered high risk since cholesterol plays a part in serious health problems including heart attack, stroke and heart disease.
Cheerios is made with 100 percent natural whole grain oats, which contribute to its cholesterol-lowering benefits. The whole grain oats in Cheerios contain soluble fiber that act as tiny sponges to soak up and remove some cholesterol from the body. Additionally, Cheerios contains only 1 gram of sugar and has no artificial colors or flavors.
To learn more about the health benefits of Cheerios, visit www.cheerios10in1.com.
About Cheerios
Cheerios, America's No. 1 cereal, debuted in 1941 as Cheerioats. The nation's first ready-to-eat oat cereal has since become one of the most trusted and recognized brands in America. In fact, one of every eight boxes of cereal sold in America is a box of Cheerios. General Mills' popular franchise includes Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Frosted Cheerios, Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, MultiGrain Cheerios, Berry Burst Cheerios, Fruity Cheerios, Cheerios Crunch and Yogurt Burst Cheerios. For more information, go to www.cheerios.com.
About General Mills
One of the world's leading food companies, General Mills operates in over 100 countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Haagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A., General Mills had FY2008 global net sales of US$ 14.9 billion, including the company’s $1.2 billion proportionate share of joint venture net sales.
