The Effect of 3-Week Consumption of Soya Beverage Enriched With Plant Sterols on Serum LDL-C

Inclusion Criteria: * Southern Chinese male or female ≥ 18 years; * In good general health as evidenced by medical history; * Have the ability to understand the requirements of the study, provide written informed consent, including consent for the use and disclose of research-related health information, and comply with the study data collection procedures. Provide signed and dated informed consent form Exclusion Criteria: * Subject with familial hypercholesterolemia; * On regular medication(s) which affect gastrointestinal functions and blood lipids level for the past 3 months, such as, but not limited to: * Antibiotics of \>1 week duration * GI related medications such as antacids * Having blood lipid lowering medications such as statins, selective cholesterol absorption inhibitors (e.g. ezetimibe), fibrates, niacin, resins, omega- 3 * Heavy-smokers (more than 1 pack per day) * Subject with heavy alcohol intake (\>40 g/day for men ; \>30 g/day for women) (32), or having history of alcohol abuse within 12 months prior to the study * Subjects with taste aversion to placebo/intervention soya beverages * Subject refusing to stop the consumption of plant sterols-enriched products if any during the study (other than the studied product) or having regular consumption of sterols/stanols cholesterol-lowering supplements/functional foods or other related products such as: * Sterol/ Stanol - containing margarines, milk, yoghurt drink and soya beverages * Sterol / Stanol supplements * Fish oils \& omega-3 supplements * Subject receiving systemic treatment or topical treatment likely to interfere with evaluation of the study parameters * Subject currently involved in a clinical trial or in an exclusion period following participation in another clinical trial * Pregnancy or lactation * Having soy allergy * Being a vegan * Being an athlete * Concurrently participating in weight management or dietary program * On diet pills, such as, but not limited to chitosan and dulcolax * With history of sitosterolemia * Having history of hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, thyroid disease, severe kidney diseases, cardiovascular diseases, chronic gastrointestinal disorders, cancers and AIDs ( acquired immune deficiency syndrome) * Having history of malabsorption syndrome arising from diseases such as, but not limited to celiac disease, short bowel syndrome, cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, diseases of gall-bladder, liver or pancreas, intestinal infection, injury, surgery and radiotherapy * Taking over-the-counter Chinese medications or supplements with cholesterol/lipid lowering and related claims * High blood cholesterol at screening \[Total cholesterol level ≥6.22mmol/L\] * High LDL cholesterol \[LDL cholesterol level ≥4.15mmol/L\] * High blood triglyceride at screening \[Triglyceride ≥3.39mmol/L\] * Anything that would place the individual at increased risk or preclude the individual's full compliance with or completion of the study.