Overview

• A Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health study spanning three decades and more than 200,000 participants finds that high dietary phytosterol intake lowers heart disease risk by 9 percent and diabetes risk by 8 percent.
• Phytosterol-rich sources identified include sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, soybeans, lentils, beans and whole grain products.
• These compounds compete with dietary cholesterol in the gut and reduce systemic inflammation to protect cardiovascular and metabolic health.
• Participants with the strongest benefits consumed four daily servings of vegetables and three servings of fruit alongside whole grains and nuts.
• Officials warn that phytosterol supplements exceeding three grams per day can impair vitamin absorption and are not recommended for pregnant women or children.