Biotransformation of soy isoflavones and enhanced cholesterol lowering effect with an oligofructose‐enriched inulin in equol producers

Objective: To assess whether the hypocholesterolemic effect of soy can be enhanced with an oligofructose‐enriched inulin (OF‐IN) by promoting the biotransformation of colonic soy isoflavones (i.e. equol production). Method: 23 hyperlipidemic adults (11M, 12F; 58±7y; LDL‐C, 4. 1±0.7mmol/L) completed three 4‐week phases: OF‐IN (10 g/d) and low‐fat dairy (control), and soy foods (isoflavones, 61 mg/d) with or without OF‐IN (10 g/d). Fasting blood …