The invention relates to a composition comprising an effective amount of at least one of the strains selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 7527, Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 7528, and Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 7529, or mutant strains thereof, wherein the mutant strains are obtained by using the deposited strains as starter material, and wherein the mutant strains retain or further improve the cholesterol lowering activity of the parent strains. These new strains have good probiotic features and are useful for the prevention and/or the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.
