Foods High in Phytosterols

Acai berry is among the best foods high in phytosterols known. Phytosterols have many health benefits including lowering bad cholesterol and possibly preventing cancer. Phytosterols are often used as food additives and also in medicine, beauty products, skin care and cosmetics.

What are phytosterols?

Phytosterols are also called plant sterols or plant phytosterols. Plant phytosterols are a group of steroid alcohol, phytochemicals naturally occurring in plants.

Description of phytosterols

Phytosterols are white powders with mild, characteristic odor, insoluble in water and soluble in alcohols.

Foods High in Phytosterols 

Apart from the acai berry which is very  high in phytosterols and the beta-sitosterol, phytosterols are found naturally in small amounts in:

• vegetable oils
• corn oil
• soy bean oil

Nowadays, phytosterols or plant sterols are added to many dairy products such as margarines, butters, breakfast cereals and spreads for marketing to people with high cholesterol.

How much cholesterol can phytosterols reduce?

Phytosterols are not miracle drugs. Phytosterols are good, natural, and healthy way to reduce LDL cholesterols. Research has shown that phytosterols can reduce cholesterol in people by up to 15%.