Frequently Asked Questions

At Benecol, we understand that starting on your cholesterol lowering journey can sometimes feel a little daunting. So to help you on your way to healthier cholesterol levels, here are some frequently asked questions about cholesterol in general and the health risks of having too much cholesterol, the unique plant stanols of Benecol, and the Benecol product range, which you might find useful. Let’s get started!

Skip to:
Benecol Ingredients | Cholesterol | Cooking and Baking | Lowering Cholesterol with Benecol | Plant Stanols | Using Benecol products | Using Benecol with medication

Benecol Ingredients

  • Are Benecol foods dairy free?

    No, the only Benecol product which is dairy free is the Tropical Fruits Soya Drink. Always check the ingredients list for the most accurate product information.

  • Yes, all of Benecol foods are wheat free and gluten free. Always check the ingredients list for the most accurate product information.

  • No, the only Benecol product which is suitable for vegans is the Tropical Fruits Soya Drink. Always check the ingredients list for the most accurate product information.

  • All of our Benecol yogurt drinks are fortified to contain an extra boost of vitamin B1 (or Thiamine), which contributes to the normal function of the heart. One serving provides 0.33mg – that 30% of our daily needs.

Cholesterol

  • Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that your body needs to work properly and is found in every cell in your body. The important thing to know is that having too much cholesterol in your blood can increase your risk of heart diseases. That’s why keeping your cholesterol at a healthy level is an important part of looking after your health. The good news is that there are simple things you can do to help. Eating a balanced diet, being active and choosing foods lower in saturated fat can all support healthier cholesterol levels.

  • Eating a healthy, balanced diet is a great place to start. Choosing foods that are lower in saturated fat, higher in fibre and getting your ‘5-a-day’ can all help you look after your cholesterol and heart health.

    But sometimes, healthy eating alone may not be enough to get your cholesterol where you want it to be. Adding Benecol to your routine can give you an extra helping hand. Benecol contain plant stanols, which are proven to lower cholesterol when eaten as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.

  • Cholesterol levels are measured in units called millimoles per litre of blood (mmol/L). As a guide, these are the values healthy adults should aim for:

    Total cholesterol Below 5 mmol/l
    Non-HDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol Below 4 mmol/l
    LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol Below 3
    HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol Above 1 for men and 1.2 for women
    TC: HDL ratio The lower the better – above 6 is considered high

    It’s important to realise these values are only a guide and your health care professional may recommend different levels for you, depending on other risk factors.

  • The tricky thing about high cholesterol is that you usually can’t feel it and there are often no obvious symptoms, which is why its so important to get tested and know your cholesterol number.

  • The best way to know your cholesterol levels is to have your GP or other health care professional take a blood cholesterol test.

    If you’re aged 40–74 and live in England, you’re entitled to a free NHS Health Check every five years. It includes a cholesterol test, as well as checks such as blood pressure, blood sugar, kidney function and BMI. Knowing your numbers is a simple first step towards taking control of your cholesterol and looking after your health.

  • When you hear people talk about ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol, they’re actually talking about different types of lipoproteins. These are tiny particles that carry cholesterol around your body in your blood.

    There are two main types to know about:

    1. LDL cholesterol, often called ‘bad’ cholesterol

    LDL (low-density lipoprotein) carries cholesterol from the liver to the parts of the body that need it. But having too much LDL cholesterol in your blood can cause cholesterol to build up in the artery walls, increasing your risk of heart and circulatory diseases.

    That’s why keeping your LDL cholesterol at healthy levels is important for looking after your heart and circulatory health.

    2. HDL cholesterol, often called ‘good’ cholesterol

    HDL (high-density lipoprotein) helps carry excess cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it can be processed and removed from the body.

    HDL is therefore often referred to as ‘good’ cholesterol. However, when it comes to looking after your heart health, it’s important to consider your overall cholesterol levels, rather than focusing on HDL alone.

Cooking and baking with Benecol

  • Yes, you can freeze Benecol Buttery Taste Spread and Benecol Olive Spread. The rest of the Benecol range isn’t suitable for freezing, this is because it may change the taste and texture once the product has been defrosted.

  • Yes, Benecol Buttery Taste Spread, Olive Spread, yogurts and yogurt drinks can all be used in cooking and baking. We don’t recommend using Benecol Light for baking. It’s best enjoyed spread on bread or toast, or melted into your favourite vegetables or over a jacket potato

Lowering cholesterol with Benecol

  • If your cholesterol is already within a healthy range, you may not need Benecol products because they’re primarily designed to help lower cholesterol in people with raised levels.

    However, plant stanols can also help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels. A daily intake of 0.8g of plant stanols can help maintain normal cholesterol levels.

  • For the best cholesterol lowering effect, aim for the recommended daily intake of 1.5–3g of plant stanols from Benecol products, as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. For example, you could enjoy a Benecol yogurt drink providing 2g of plant stanols with your breakfast, and then a serving of Benecol spread, which provides 0.7g of plant stanols, on your lunchtime baked potato.

    Eating less may mean you don’t get the full benefit, while occasionally eating more than the recommended amount isn’t something to worry about. Studies have shown that consuming up to 9g of plant stanols per day is safe.

  • No. Benecol is designed to help lower total and LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol, without lowering your HDL (‘good’) cholesterol or affecting your triglyceride levels.

  • You may not notice a difference in how you feel, as high cholesterol usually has no obvious symptoms. The best way to see if Benecol is helping to lower your cholesterol is to have your cholesterol levels checked.

    When eaten daily, providing 1.5–3g of plant stanols, Benecol can help lower cholesterol within 2–3 weeks, as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.

  • Yes. Research has shown that the cholesterol lowering effect of plant stanols can be maintained when Benecol products are enjoyed regularly as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Clinical studies have shown that the effect can be sustained over the longer term, with studies lasting up to 12 and 18 months.

  • No, no side effects have ever been reported in the numerous studies that have been carried out with plant stanol ester since the early 1990s. Regulatory bodies around the world, including the European Food Safety Authority, the strongest possible health claim for a food, have found them to be safe and effective in lowering cholesterol levels.

    Plant stanols have been thoroughly researched and over 67 gold standard clinical studies have shown plant stanol ester – the unique ingredient in Benecol – to be completely safe.

  • There’s even a clue in the name – Bene – meaning ‘good’, and col, ‘cholesterol’!

Plant stanols

  • Plant stanols are naturally occurring substances found in foods such as wholegrains, nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetables. They can help reduce the amount of cholesterol your body absorbs.

    Plant stanol esters are simply plant stanols combined with a small amount of vegetable oil. This makes them easier to add to foods while keeping the taste and texture people enjoy. Plant stanol ester is the ingredient used in Benecol products. It allows you to get the cholesterol lowering benefits of plant stanols in a range of tasty everyday foods.

    When you consume enough plant stanols, they compete with cholesterol in your digestive system, helping to reduce the amount that passes into your bloodstream. This can help lower LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol. The amount of plant stanols naturally found in food is very small, which is why Benecol products are specially formulated to provide an effective daily amount to reduce cholesterol.

Using Benecol products

  • Benecol products are designed for adults who want to help lower their cholesterol.

    However, Benecol products are not nutritionally appropriate for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or children under five, unless advised by a doctor or other health professional.

    If you’re unsure whether Benecol is right for you, speak to your doctor or another healthcare professional.

  • For the best cholesterol lowering effect, it’s important to enjoy Benecol products every day. Plant stanols work in your digestive system by reducing the amount of cholesterol your body absorbs, so they need to be consumed regularly.

    Missing the occasional day isn’t something to worry about. Just get back to your usual Benecol routine the next day.

    If you stop eating Benecol products altogether, your cholesterol levels may gradually return to where they were before you started. So, to keep enjoying the cholesterol-lowering benefits, make Benecol part of your everyday routine, alongside a healthy diet and lifestyle.

  • For the best cholesterol-lowering effect, enjoy Benecol products every day and with a meal. This helps plant stanols work in your digestive system to reduce the amount of cholesterol your body absorbs.

    You can have your recommended daily intake of plant stanols in one go or spread it across several meals – whatever works best for your routine.

Using Benecol with medication

  • The plant stanols in Benecol are unlikely to have much added effect if you are taking Ezitimibe cholesterol lowering medication.

    This is because its active ingredient ezetimibe works in a similar way to plant stanols by partially blocking the absorption of cholesterol (both cholesterol produced by your body naturally and the cholesterol found in our food) in the gut.

    So, less cholesterol makes its way into your bloodstream. If you’re taking Ezitimibe cholesterol lowering medication, you should discuss your individual needs with your doctor to find the optimum solution to cholesterol lowering for you.

  • If you’ve been prescribed cholesterol lowering medication like statins, you shouldn’t replace it with Benecol without discussing this with your health care professional first.

    Instead, you should be able to enjoy Benecol products alongside your statin medication to get extra cholesterol lowering benefits, this is because they both work in different ways.