Scientists Help Potato Chips to Become Cholesterol-Friendly

Researchers at Brandeis University may have found a preparation method in potato and tortilla chips that may help in lowering cholesterol levels. In this method, the scientists fried chips in oil loaded with phytosterols. Phytosterols are chemicals found in many plants that have been discovered in many other studies to lower cholesterol levels. These sterols work by blocking absorption of cholesterol taken in from the food you eat, thus lowering your cholesterol in the process.

As a result of this study, it was found that the LDL levels (“bad” cholesterol) in patients eating the phytosterol-laden potato chips were reduced on an average of 15%, while their total cholesterol was reduced on an average of 10%. Even better, the study participants could not tell between the real potato chips, and the ones cooked with phytosterols. Currently, there are other low-fat brand potato chips on the market; however, most of them do not taste like an authentic chip.

Although this study doesn’t address other issues that could be associated with potato chips, such as obesity and proper nutrition, this is the first study that has tried to improve the effectiveness of lowering cholesterol using a favorite snack. These results were recently published in the Journal of Nutrition.


~Jennifer Moll