Lowering blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations is a beneficial physiological effect by decreasing the risk of coronary heart disease. The applicant identified a total of 22 references, which included three meta-analyses and 19 randomised controlled trials, as being pertinent to the health claim. In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into account that most of the trials investigating the effects of oat beta-glucan at doses of at least 3 g/d have shown a statistically significant decrease in LDL-cholesterol concentrations, and that there was strong evidence supporting the biological plausibility of the effect. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of oat beta-glucan and lowering of blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations.