Swiss cheese firm Emmi has introduced the Emmi Benecol yoghurt drink, said to lower cholesterol with regular daily consumption.
The large portfolio of evidence on Benecol, the cholesterol-lowering ingredient developed by Finland's Raisio group from plant stanols, shows that a daily portion of 2g stanols (the amount contained in the yoghurt) can lower LDL cholesterol by up to 15 per cent, and the overall cholesterol by about 10 per cent, while the "good" HDL cholesterol remains unaffected.
Natural plant stanols prevent absorption of cholesterol (both the body's own cholesterol and that taken in through food) in the gastrointestinal tract, with a consequent reduction in cholesterol level. Currently around 30 per cent of the Swiss population above 25 years old has elevated cholesterol levels, according to figures cited by Emmi.
The drink is described as low-fat and is sweetened with Aspartame and Acesulfame K, making it an option for diabetics.
Emmi Benecol is available in a convenient 65ml bottle, packed in a six-pack from the chilled food section in supermarkets. It comes in strawberry and orange flavours and retails at SF5.70 for a six-pack.
Emmi also makes other healthy dairy products, such as its Bifidus drink, the probiotic milk drink Aktifit, which contains LGG and folic acid, and the Energy Milk line, which contain prebiotic fibres, calcium and vitamins. The company has facilities in Austria, Italy, Germany and the USA.