December 9/Food Weekly Focus -- "This study aimed to evaluate the effect of milk fermented with Lactobacillus acidophilus 145 and Bifidobacterium longum BB536 on plasma lipids in a sample of adult women. A double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over study (two periods of four weeks each separated by a one-week washout period) was performed in 34 women, aged between 18 and 65 years," scientists writing in the Journal of Dairy Research report.

"Group A consumed 125g fermented milk three times a day for the first four weeks, while group B consumed regular yoghurt under the same conditions. (Groups A and B switched products for the second treatment period). Women taking the test product with a baseline total cholesterol above 190mg/dl showed a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol. HDL cholesterol was also reduced by the test product," wrote S. Andrade and colleagues, University of Porto.

The researchers concluded, "The fermented milk may help to reduce LDL levels in hypercholesterolemic adult women."

Andrade and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Dairy Research ("Effect of Fermented Milk Containing Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Longum on Plasma Lipids of Women with Normal or Moderately Elevated Cholesterol." Journal of Dairy Research, 2009;76(4):469-474).

Additional information can be obtained by contacting N. Borges, University of Porto, Faculty Nutrition & Food Science, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, P-4200465 Oporto, Portugal.

From the December 21, 2009, Prepared Foods E-dition