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Acute Effects of a High-Fat Meal Enriched with Pomegranate Seed Oil on Postprandial Lipemia and Endothelial Function in Postmenopausal Women: a Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.

  • 2026-03
  • The Journal of nutrition 156(3)
    • Manal M Almoraie
    • Jeremy Pe Spencer
    • Carol Wagstaff
    • Kim G Jackson

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
16 postmenopausal women aged ≤65 y
Methods
single-blind, randomized controlled postpronged crossover study, high-fat mixed meal (50 g fat) at breakfast (0 min), blood samples collected until 480 min postprandially, specific time points for BP and microvascular reactivity
Blinding
Single-blind
Duration
480 min postprandially

Background

Postprandial elevation of triacylglycerol (TAG) is associated with endothelial dysfunction and represents an important independent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor in women. Although daily intakes of pomegranate seed oil (PSO, 80% conjugated α-linolenic acids) reduce fasting lipids, little is known about the acute effects on postprandial CVD risk markers.

Objectives

This study compared the impact of a PSO-rich meal with those of a control meal on postprandial TAG (primary outcome measure), lipids, glucose, insulin, microvascular function, and cell adhesion molecule responses in postmenopausal women.

Methods

In a single-blind, randomized controlled postprandial crossover study, 16 postmenopausal women aged ≤65 y were assigned to consume either a PSO-rich or a control meal on 2 separate occasions, 4 to 6 wk apart. A high-fat mixed meal (50 g fat) was provided at breakfast (0 min), and blood samples collected until 480 min postprandially to assess CVD risk markers. Specific time points were selected for blood pressure (BP) (0, 120, 240, 360 and 480 min) and microvascular reactivity (0, 180, 300, and 420 min). Postprandial data were analyzed using linear mixed models.

Results

Compared with the control meal, the PSO-rich meal significantly reduced the postprandial TAG response but glucose, insulin, apolipoprotein B, and non-esterified fatty acid responses were similar. The AUC and incremental AUC (iAUC) for the postprandial acetylcholine (endothelium-dependent vasodilation) induced reactivity response were greater (P ≤ 0.04), and systolic BP lower after the PSO-rich meal than the control meal. Additionally, the iAUC for the pulse wave velocity and AUC/iAUC for the soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 responses were lower, whereas plasma nitrite concentrations were higher after the PSO-rich than control meal (P ≤ 0.037).

Conclusions

A PSO-rich meal significantly reduced the postprandial TAG response and enhanced endothelial function compared with a control meal, suggesting a potential cardioprotective effect in postmenopausal women. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT06042673 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06042673).

Research Insights

  • Pomegranate→Improved Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation

    The AUC and incremental AUC (iAUC) for the postprandial acetylcholine (endothelium-dependent vasodilation) induced reactivity response were greater (P ≤ 0.04)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    50 g fat mixed meal enriched with pomegranate seed oil (80% conjugated α-linolenic acids)
  • Pomegranate→Increased Nitrite Level

    plasma nitrite concentrations were higher after the PSO-rich than control meal (P ≤ 0.037)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    50 g fat mixed meal enriched with pomegranate seed oil (80% conjugated α-linolenic acids)
  • Pomegranate→Reduced Postprandial Triacylglycerol Response

    Compared with the control meal, the PSO-rich meal significantly reduced the postprandial TAG response

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    50 g fat mixed meal enriched with pomegranate seed oil (80% conjugated α-linolenic acids)
  • Pomegranate→Reduced Pulse Wave Velocity

    iAUC for the pulse wave velocity ... were lower

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    50 g fat mixed meal enriched with pomegranate seed oil (80% conjugated α-linolenic acids)
  • Pomegranate→Reduced Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 Level

    AUC/iAUC for the soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 responses were lower

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    50 g fat mixed meal enriched with pomegranate seed oil (80% conjugated α-linolenic acids)
  • Pomegranate→Reduced Systolic Blood Pressure

    systolic BP lower after the PSO-rich meal than the control meal

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    50 g fat mixed meal enriched with pomegranate seed oil (80% conjugated α-linolenic acids)
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