Overview

• Participants in the highest quintile of dietary phytosterol intake had a 9% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and an 8% lower incidence of type 2 diabetes than those in the lowest quintile.
• The observational analysis drew on up to 36 years of follow-up data from three large U.S. cohort studies involving 206,277 health professionals.
• Higher phytosterol consumption was associated with lower C-reactive protein and C-peptide levels and improved blood metabolite profiles related to insulin regulation.
• Gut microbiome profiling highlighted species such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and its 3-oxosteroid 1-dehydrogenase enzyme as potential mediators of phytosterol benefits.
• Researchers note the study’s observational design cannot prove causality but say the findings reinforce guidelines for plant-based diets rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts and whole grains.