Minute Maid Premium, a division of Coca-Cola, has recently introduced Heart Wise, a designer orange juice enhanced with plant sterols, the same type of cholesterol-lowering compounds contained in two margarines, Take Control and Benecol.
Q. So is this stuff going to lower my cholesterol?
A. Maybe. Studies suggest that the sterols may cut blood cholesterol levels by anywhere from 6 to 10 percent. So if your cholesterol levels are elevated — higher than 200 for total cholesterol — you may want to give them a try. Be aware that the Food and Drug Administration is careful to require food manufacturers to note that these products “may” lower the risk of heart disease.
Q. How much do I have to drink to see an effect?
A. Research suggests it takes at least 0.8 gram of plant sterols per day to see an effect. An eight-ounce glass of Heart Wise has one gram. The company recommends consuming two glasses a day. But there are no published studies showing that this works.
Q. So I could drink the juice and eat whatever I want?
A. In your dreams. The FDA says that plant sterol foods should be used in conjunction with a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Q. How much is this going to set me back?
A. Heart Wise will be sold at the same price as other Minute Maid products. So it will still cost you a couple of bucks per quart — though the Heart Wise products won’t come with added calcium or vitamin D, which are now found in some other juices.
