To wonder if Asda probiotics are as effective as Benecol?

[enimmead]

They're half the price.

If Benecol lowers cholesterol because of the sterols, should the Asda generic have the similar effect?

Or does higher price / brand labelling count for something?

I don't know. I decided to not use Benecol, etc. but buy Plant Sterol capsules instead. I know they are expensive, but I don't buy into all the hype of Benecol etc.,

Benecol isn't a probiotic, it's a plant stanol.

Don't buy probiotics if you want to reduce your cholesterol, they don't work like that.

Is there an actual "active ingredient" in these things?

If so, look at how much of it is in there and compare.

They've just listed the 222 health claims which can be made on food/drink products and also applies to some supplements.

It's under EU directive 1924/2006.

The list was published last week and comes into force after six months transition.

You shouldn't be marketing a product unless it contains an active ingredient (that is mis-labelling and is subject to trading standards) but now you can't make a health claim about something either unless it is an approved claim and appears on the list.

Probiotics didn't make it, plant sterols/stanols did.

Anyway, doesn't much how much of an ingredient is in an item if there is no evidence that the ingredient does anything, which will be the case for the many many food components.

They've really shaken up the law on this to prevent fraudulent marketing.

Agreed - probiotics are about healthy gut flora.

Benecol is about lowering cholesterol.

Can't be compared.

Yes was going to say isn't the whole probiotic thing a load of old placebo rubbish?

I'm sure I read a doctor describing it as pouring an eggcupful of freshwater into the sea and expecting it to rebalance the salt content...

Well probiotics claims for healthy guts was rejected by EFSA.

The indudstry is in a big stir about this.

Knowing someone who has devoted his career to working in this field, I don't think they're a pile of shite but they're not the wonderfood/drink everybody would say they are either.

probiotics help the digestive system, Benecol (plant sterols) help lower cholesterol so are two totaly different products

My fault - they both contain sterols.

Was in probiotic world for some reason.

If that's the case then, the dose will have be at least equal to make the claim of reducing cholesterol (check this on pack mind) and so you can safely buy the Asda ones instead.

Brands always cost more than store-owned and not usually for any good reason!

£1.68 for 6 Asda

Benecol 6 for £3 (if you bought 12 at £6)

Hi there,

We have moved this to health now as we don't think that AIBU was the right place for it.