Which supplement works better to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels: chicory root (inulin) or prickly pear?

Ratings at a Glance

Supplement	Effectiveness Rating	Confidence Rating
Chicory Root (inulin)
Prickly Pear

Effectiveness Rating: Chicory Root (inulin) vs Prickly Pear

The effectiveness rating is a measure of the supplements' ability to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. This rating answers the question of whether or not a supplement does what it claims. The evidence backing up prickly pear is great, while the evidence backing up chicory root (inulin) is good. Prickly Pear should be able to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels more effectively, however both supplements should provide positive results.

Confidence Rating: Chicory Root (inulin) vs Prickly Pear

Another factor to take into account when comparing supplements is the confidence rating. This rating is a measure of how valid each supplement's effectiveness rating is. Remember, the confidence rating is a measure of how much you can trust the effectiveness rating. This rating is based on how many studies are included in the database on a supplement's claims. Ideally, you want a high effectiveness AND confidence rating.

Both chicory root (inulin) and prickly pear have low confidence ratings. This means neither supplement has an adequate amount of research to back up this claim. A low confidence rating questions the validity of the effectiveness rating.