Pass the Chips

Researchers from Brandeis University may have found tortillachips to lower cholesterol. The investigators said that frying chips inoil with phytosterol—a plant ingredient—can soak up cholesterol withoutharming the taste. In a study of 10 participants, the researchersfound that low-density lipoprotein (LDL; "bad") cholesterol wasreduced by an average of 15%. The study had the participants eat two1-oz servings of phytosterol-enriched tortilla chips for 4 weeks.

The researchers also reported no changes in the participants'highdensitylipoprotein, and a 10% reduction in total cholesterol. Thespiked chips worked by blocking the body's absorption of LDL asfoods were eaten along with the chips. The investigators'methodof extending sterols'cholesterol-lowering benefits had the sterolsbeing heated and cooled so that they recrystallize in a form compatiblewith fried foods.