Stigmasterol
A plant sterol common in soy and vegetable oils.
What is Stigmasterol?
Stigmasterol is a plant sterol found in soybeans, vegetable oils and many plants. Like its fellow phytosterols, it can modestly limit cholesterol absorption. Industrially, it is also an important starting material for making steroid hormones such as progesterone.
Health benefits of Stigmasterol
- Part of the phytosterol family that limits cholesterol absorption
- Concentrated in soy and vegetable oils
- A natural component of a plant-rich diet
Top food sources of Stigmasterol
See full rankingSoybeans, vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, legumes and whole grains. Values shown per 100 g.
Oil, soybean, salad or cooking
59 mg
Shortening, vegetable, household, composite
51 mg
Salad dressing, mayonnaise, soybean oil, with salt
39 mg
Baking chocolate, unsweetened, squares
38 mg
Margarine, regular, 80% fat, composite, tub, with salt
37 mg
Margarine, regular, 80% fat, composite, tub, with salt, with added vitamin D
37 mg
Margarine, regular, 80% fat, composite, stick, with salt
35 mg
Margarine, 80% fat, stick, includes regular and hydrogenated corn and soybean oils
35 mg
Margarine-like, vegetable oil spread, approximately 37% fat, unspecified oils, with salt, with added vitamin D
35 mg
Margarine, regular, 80% fat, composite, stick, with salt, with added vitamin D
35 mg
Salad dressing, ranch dressing, commercial, regular
34 mg
Margarine-like, vegetable oil spread, 60% fat, stick, with salt
31 mg
How much Stigmasterol do you need?
There is no Daily Value. It is one of several plant sterols contributing to the cholesterol-lowering effect of plant foods.
Stigmasterol deficiency
There is no dietary requirement for stigmasterol; it is a beneficial plant compound, not an essential nutrient.
Nutrition data per 100 g from the USDA & FooDB databases. Daily Values follow the FDA 2016+ labeling standard for a 2,000-calorie diet. This guide is for general information and is not medical advice.
Related nutrients
Frequently asked questions
What does Stigmasterol do?
Stigmasterol is a plant sterol found in soybeans, vegetable oils and many plants. Like its fellow phytosterols, it can modestly limit cholesterol absorption. Industrially, it is also an important starting material for making steroid hormones such as progesterone.
How much Stigmasterol do I need per day?
There is no Daily Value. It is one of several plant sterols contributing to the cholesterol-lowering effect of plant foods.
Which foods are highest in Stigmasterol?
Per 100 g, some of the richest sources are Oil, soybean, salad or cooking, Shortening, vegetable, household, composite, Salad dressing, mayonnaise, soybean oil, with salt, Baking chocolate, unsweetened, squares, Margarine, regular, 80% fat, composite, tub, with salt.
What happens if I don't get enough Stigmasterol?
There is no dietary requirement for stigmasterol; it is a beneficial plant compound, not an essential nutrient.