New Oat Bran Study Finds It Does Not Lower Cholesterol

Oat bran--one of the biggest health food fads of the 1980s--does not lower cholesterol or blood pressure in normal, healthy people, according to a new study released today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The study, led by a group of Boston researchers, challenges the perception of many people--encouraged by cereal makers--that including oat bran in their diet can lead to a healthier life.

The study showed that a high-fiber diet does not lower cholesterol levels any more than a low-fiber diet.

The findings on oat bran have been inconsistent, but some previous studies have shown that a diet high in soluble fiber, which is abundant in oat bran and beans, may lower cholesterol levels and prevent heart problems.

The earlier finding fueled an oat-bran craze, which sent the food industry on an all-out advertising blitz to make sure consumers knew the oat content of their products.