The cholesterol-lowering effect of graham flavored bars containing guar galactomannan fiber (GM) and soy fiber were evaluated in two separate controlled parallel design studies in healthy free-living subjects. In the first study, data is presented from 51 subjects (24 women, baseline TC range 110-283mg/dl) randomized to one of 3 groups. Subjects consumed 2 bars/day for 6 weeks, providing either 7.8g GM (16.4g total dietary fiber or TDF), 10.1g GM (15.6g TDF) or no GM (14.2g TDF from insoluble fiber in the controls). In the second study, 110 subjects (46 women, baseline TC 193-286mg/dl) were randomized to one of 3 groups. Subjects consumed one bar/day for 4 weeks, then two bars/day for another 4 weeks. Bars provided either 1.7g GM (6.4g TDF), 2.8g GM (6g TDF), 3.4g GM (12.8g TDF), 5.6g GM (12g TDF), or no GM (5.8g TDF) and no GM (11.6g TDF) for the 2 control groups

The results show a clear correlation between guar GM intake and LDL-C lowering. Decreases in LDL-C from baseline were significantly greater in guar treated subjects than in controls at all but the lowest dose of guar. No differences in HDL-C levels were observed.

In addition, no significant changes were observed in total calorie, fat, saturated fat, or cholesterol intakes between guar treated and control subjects, suggesting that the cholesterol-lowering trend was the direct result of guar GM intake rather than changes in these dietary components.