Effect of 4-Week Consumption of Soy Kori-tofu on Cardiometabolic Health Markers: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Cross-Over Trial in Adults with Mildly Elevated Cholesterol Levels

Abstract

Kori-tofu is a frozen soy tofu, and soy consumption is associated with positive effects on cardiometabolic health markers. We aimed to assess the potential of Kori-tofu to improve cardiometabolic health outcomes in humans by repetitive daily consumption. In a double-blind randomized controlled cross-over trial, 45 subjects aged 40–70 years with (mildly) elevated cholesterol levels, received a four week Kori-tofu intervention or whey protein control intervention with a four week wash-out period in between. Cardiometabolic biomarkers were measured before and after both interventions. A significant decrease in total, low-density lipids (LDL), and high-density lipids (HDL) cholesterol, Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fructosamine and systolic blood pressure was observed within the Kori-tofu intervention. However, many of these findings were also observed in the control intervention. Only adiponectin changes were different between treatments but did not change significantly within interventions. Improvements in cardiometabolic markers within the Kori-tofu intervention point toward potential beneficial health effects. Due to the lack of significant effects as compared to control, there is, however, currently no substantiating evidence to claim that Kori-tofu has beneficial effects on cardiometabolic health.

Exploring the Impact of Personalized Nutritional Approaches on Metabolism and Immunity: A Systematic Review of Various Nutrients and Dietary Patterns

“…A crossover trial conducted by van de Belt et al aimed to measure various blood levels, such as total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, plasma insulin, HbA1c, fructosamine, and glucose in 48 randomly selected participants. Out of these, 45 individuals (including 19 males and 26 females) completed the study, with an average age of 59 years and a BMI of 25.4 kg/m 2 [ 30 ]. This research focused on examining the impact of Kori-tofu protein on blood lipid profiles and other cardiovascular disease risk factors in healthy adults with slightly elevated cholesterol levels.…”

“…This research focused on examining the impact of Kori-tofu protein on blood lipid profiles and other cardiovascular disease risk factors in healthy adults with slightly elevated cholesterol levels. Participants were given a four-week intervention with either Kori-tofu or whey protein, followed by a four-week washout period [ 30 ]. Although clear evidence supporting the beneficial effects of Kori-tofu on cardiometabolic health was not found, some positive effects were observed, particularly in those with an impaired cardiometabolic profile.…”