Response to an oral fat load and effects on lipid profile, glycemia and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein after soybean extract consumption

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the response in terms of lipid profile, glycemia and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein after an oral fat load (OFL) with a non-dairy cheese cream containing fermented soybean extract soy, compared to a dairy cheese.

Material and methods: One hundred twenty-four healthy subjects underwent an OFL performed using a mixture containing non-dairy cheese cream, containing 75% fermented soybean extract (Valsoia Lo spalmabile), or a dairy cheese cream.

Results: During the OFL, total cholesterol and triglycerides at 6 h were lower with non-dairy cheese cream containing fermented soybean compared to dairy cheese cream. The value of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol recorded at 6 h with the active treatment was lower than the one recorded at the same time with the dairy cheese cream. A decrease of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was recorded with the dairy cheese cream, but not with the active treatment; moreover, the HDL-C value recorded with the active treatment was higher than the one observed with the dairy cheese cream. There was an increase of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) at 3, 6, and 9 h compared to 0 h with the dairy cheese cream, but not with the active treatment. The hs-CRP value observed with the active treatment was lower than the one observed with the dairy cheese cream.

Conclusions: A non-dairy cheese cream, containing 75% fermented soybean extract, caused a minor increase of lipid profile and of hs-CRP during OFL compared to a dairy cheese cream in healthy subjects.