Ingredient

Plant Sterol Esters

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Source

Not animal-derived

Allergen

Role in food

Manufacturers add plant sterol esters to foods to help reduce cholesterol absorption. They are …

What it is

Plant sterol esters are made from plant sterols, which are natural compounds found in small amounts in fruits, vegetables, and grains. They are chemically modified to enhance their absorption and effectiveness. These esters are often added to foods to help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

Why it's used

Manufacturers add plant sterol esters to foods to help reduce cholesterol absorption. They are most commonly found in products marketed for heart health, such as margarines, spreads, dairy products, and nutritional beverages.

Health notes

Plant sterol esters are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in certain foods to help lower cholesterol. Regulatory bodies like EFSA have evaluated plant sterols and stanols, finding they contribute to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels. Consuming foods fortified with plant sterol esters has been shown in peer-reviewed studies to lower LDL cholesterol. Evidence suggests that a daily intake of 1.5–3 grams of plant sterols/stanols is effective for cholesterol reduction.

Allergen info

Plant sterol esters are not derived from major allergens. They are plant-based and do not contain gluten.

Products containing Plant Sterol Esters

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Abbott Laboratories Inc Nutrition Shake Heart Health, Milk Chocolate Energy, Protein & Muscle Recovery Drinks High in sodium — 130% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 75% DV per serving High in cholesterol — 50% DV per serving 1750kcal 100Protein 37.5Fat 262Carbs Abbott Laboratories Inc Active Nutrition Shake, Vanilla Energy, Protein & Muscle Recovery Drinks High in sodium — 143% DV per serving High in cholesterol — 50% DV per serving 1625kcal 100Protein 37.5Fat 250Carbs Abbott Laboratories Inc Abbott, Glucerna, Advance Shake, Chocolate, Chocolate Energy, Protein & Muscle Recovery Drinks High in sodium — 274% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 150% DV per serving High in cholesterol — 50% DV per serving 2500kcal 125Protein 87.5Fat 338Carbs Upfield US Inc Promise, Activ, Light, 35% Vegetable Oil Spread Butter & Spread 321kcal 0Protein 35.7Fat 0Carbs Abbott Laboratories Inc Shake, Vanilla Energy, Protein & Muscle Recovery Drinks 83kcal 4.2Protein 2.9Fat 10.8Carbs

Last updated: September 28, 2026

Note: This site presents label data from USDA FoodData Central for general information. It is not medical advice. Check the package label; formulations change.