Hypocholesterolemic effect of germinated fenugreek seeds in human subjects

The effect of consumption of germinated fenugreek seed powder at two different levels, i.e., 12.5 g and 18.0 g on the blood lipid profiles of twenty hypocholesterolemic adults of both sexes in the age range of 50-65 years was studied. The subjects were divided into two groups, i.e., Group I and Group II who were asked to incorporate the powder into any dish of their choice at the rates of one packet per day containing 12.5 g and 18.0 g of the germinated powder, respectively, for a period of one month. Fasting blood was drawn intravenously one day before and at the end of 30 days feeding trials. The findings revealed that germination had brought distinct changes in soluble fiber content of the seeds. Consumption of the seed at both the levels resulted in a hypocholesterolemic effect. Between the two levels, higher levels of consumption, i.e., 18.0 g of the germinated seed resulted in a significant reduction in total cholesterol and LDL levels. No significant changes were found in HDL, VLDL and triglyceride levels in all the subjects.