Plant sterols found in some fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds are thought to block the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine. When cholesterol is not absorbed, it is eliminated from the body. This can help reduce the blood level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a harmful form of cholesterol.

Scientists have known for some time that plant sterols added to fat-based products can lower cholesterol. But no one knew whether they would also provide this benefit when delivered in a low-fat liquid like orange juice.

Scientists working with The Coca-Cola Company decided to support clinical studies to find out. Those studies, conducted by scientists at the University of California Davis Medical Center, found that participants with normal to borderline high total cholesterol who drank two 8-fluid-ounce servings of orange juice containing 1.0 gram of plant sterols per ounce serving daily with meals for eight weeks significantly lowered their LDL cholesterol. ¹

1. Devaraj S, Jialal I, and Vega-Lopez S. "Plant Sterol-Fortified Orange Juice Effectively Lowers Cholesterol Level in Mildly Hypercholesterolemic Healthy Individuals." Arterio. Throm. Vasc. Bio. 2004;24:25e-28.