Soymilk with plant sterols and fiber lowered LDL cholesterol a bit more than plain soymilk

Adults with high LDL cholesterol who drank soymilk enriched with plant sterols and soluble fiber for 8 weeks lowered LDL by 5.5 mg/dL more than with plain soymilk, in a randomized trial published Oct. 25, 2026, in European Journal of Nutrition. It is a small dietary step for cholesterol.

LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, builds up in artery walls and raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Besides medicines, some foods can help lower it: plant sterols, soluble fiber and soy protein each have some evidence.

What did the trial test?

242 adults with LDL above 130 mg/dL, either untreated or on stable cholesterol medicine, were assigned by chance to drink two 180-mL packs a day of either plain soymilk (119 people) or soymilk enriched with plant sterols and inulin, a soluble fiber (123 people), for 8 weeks. Both provided 5 g of soy protein per pack. The enriched version added 1 g of plant sterol and 5 g of inulin per pack, for daily intakes of 2 g of sterol and 11.6 g of fiber.

What did the study find about cholesterol?

• At 8 weeks, LDL fell 5.5 mg/dL more with the enriched soymilk than with plain soymilk.
• There were no significant differences in blood sugar, HDL (“good” cholesterol), triglycerides, calories, fat intake or physical activity.
• Fiber intake rose more in the enriched group, as expected.

Why does this matter?

Small reductions in LDL add up over years, especially when combined with other changes. A simple swap in a daily drink can be one piece of a heart-healthy diet, alongside medicines when needed.

How solid is this evidence?

It’s good. Mongevity rates it B on our A-to-E scale: a randomized trial analyzed by intention to treat. Limits: it lasted 8 weeks, the difference was modest, it was registered after it started and it was conducted in 2013-2014. Both groups drank soymilk, so the trial tests the added sterols and fiber, not soy itself.

What are the open questions?

Longer studies would show whether the effect lasts and whether it adds benefit for people already on statins.

What does this mean for you?

If your LDL is high, food choices can help: oats, beans, lentils and other soluble fiber sources, nuts, soy foods and products fortified with plant sterols. These work best alongside a diet low in saturated fat, and don’t replace prescribed medicines.

How do I explain this at dinner?

Adults with high cholesterol drank soymilk with extra plant sterols and fiber, or plain soymilk, for 8 weeks. The enriched drink lowered bad cholesterol a little more. A good question for the table: which cholesterol-friendly foods do you already eat?

In one sentence: soymilk enriched with plant sterols and soluble fiber lowered LDL cholesterol by 5.5 mg/dL more than plain soymilk over 8 weeks.