The study compared whether or not Cheerios® cereal, as part of a reduced calorie diet low in fat, would lower bad cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) more than just following a reduced calorie diet low in fat alone. The participants were divided into two diet groups—the Cheerios® group and the Control group.

The Cheerios group ate two 1 l/2 oz (equal to about 1 l/2 cups) servings of Cheerios® cereal each day as part of their reduced calorie diet. The Control group ate two 1 1/2 oz servings of foods that were similar in calories.

The study ran for a total of 12 weeks. Measurements were taken at 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

The 204 participants were between the ages of 20 and 65 with high bad cholesterol (greater than 130 mg/dL) and were overweight or obese (a BMI greater than 25). Extra weight and high bad cholesterol are two key risk factors for heart disease.

The original yellow box Cheerios® cereal was used.

After 4 weeks, the bad cholesterol levels of the Cheerios® group dropped an average of about 10% (17 points). The reduction in bad cholesterol was about 5% (7 points) more in the Cheerios® group than in the Control group.

Based on the measurements taken over the course of the 12-week study, the average reduction in the Cheerios® group remained significant after 12 weeks (about 9%, or 14 points). In addition, the Cheerios® group still lowered their bad cholesterol significantly more than the Control group. This means the benefit of eating Cheerios® to lower bad cholesterol was consistent throughout the study.

The Cheerios study showed that overweight individuals with high cholesterol lowered their bad cholesterol an average of about 10% in 4 weeks by eating two 1 1/2 cup servings of Cheerios cereal daily as part of a reduced calorie diet. By "average" we mean that about half of the study group lowered their bad cholesterol by more than 10% and about half lowered it less than 10%. Like all studies, there is variability between people in how they respond to diet changes, which leads to variability in results. Therefore, your individual results may vary.

The cholesterol reduction was due to the combination of eating Cheerios® cereal and following a reduced calorie diet. Cheerios® cereal helps lower cholesterol because it has soluble fiber from whole grain oats. Lowering weight by following a reduced calorie diet also helps lower cholesterol.

In addition to weight loss and lowering their cholesterol, participants also experienced a reduction in their triglycerides and a reduced waist circumference. Excess weight around the waist is a risk factor for diabetes, heart disease and stroke and can lead to increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

The participants were instructed to reduce their intake by 500 calories each day to help promote a healthy weight loss. They lowered their calories by choosing low-fat, lower calorie foods and controlling their portion sizes.

The participants in both groups lost weight by following a reduced calorie diet. The average weight loss after 12 weeks was about 4 lbs.

This is still the same great Cheerios® cereal that can help naturally lower cholesterol through the power of oats. This study is different from the original Cheerios® study because it incorporated a reduced calorie diet. A reduced calorie diet can help promote healthy weight loss, which can help lower cholesterol. The new study shows that Cheerios® cereal, as part of a reduced calorie diet low in fat, can help lower cholesterol even more than diet alone.

The study was presented at the Experimental Biology Annual Meeting in New Orleans in April, 2009. The study abstract is published in the FASEB Journal. (Maki, K, et al. Ready-to-eat Oat Cereal, as Part of a Reduced Energy Diet, Reduces Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Waist Cicumference in Overweight and Obese Adults. FASEB J. 2009 23:722.5.)

We recommend that you consult with a health care provider before starting any diet or cholesterol reduction program. For more information on heart healthy eating, go to the American Heart Association's website: americanheart.org. If you're looking to follow a heart-healthy diet, the American Heart Association also recommends choosing a variety of foods for an overall diet that is low in fat, saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. A heart healthy diet also includes plenty of fiber, fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods.