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Diverse impacts of red palm olein, extra virgin coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil on cardiometabolic risk markers in individuals with central obesity: a randomised trial.

  • 2024-02-19
  • European journal of nutrition 63(4)
    • Kim-Tiu Teng
    • Radhika Loganathan
    • Boon How Chew
    • Tsung Fei Khang

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 156
Population
156 individuals with central obesity, aged 25-45 years
Methods
Parallel single-blind 3-arm randomised controlled trial, isocaloric diets (~2400 kcal) enriched with red palm olein, extra virgin coconut oil, or extra virgin olive oil for 12 weeks
Blinding
Single-blind
Duration
12 weeks
Funding
Unclear
  • Large Human Trial
  • Rigorous Journal

Purpose

Dietary fats with an abundance of phytonutrients have garnered public attention beyond fatty acids per se. This study was set to investigate the impact of consuming diets with red palm olein (RPOO), extra virgin coconut oil (EVCO) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO, as a control) on cardiometabolic risk biomarkers and lipid profile.

Methods

We recruited a total of 156 individuals with central obesity, aged 25-45 years, with waist circumference ≥ 90 cm for men and ≥ 80 cm for women in a parallel single-blind 3-arm randomised controlled trial. The participants consumed isocaloric diets (~ 2400 kcal) enriched with respective test fats (RPOO, EVCO or EVOO) for a 12-week duration.

Results

The mean of the primary outcome plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein was statistically similar between the three diets after a 12-week intervention. EVOO resulted in significantly lower mean LDL cholesterol compared with RPOO and EVCO, despite similar effects on LDL and HDL cholesterol subfractions. The RPOO diet group showed elevated mean α and β -carotenes levels compared with EVCO and EVOO diet groups (P < 0.05), corresponding with the rich carotenoid content in RPOO.

Conclusion

The three oils, each of which has unique phytonutrient and fatty acid compositions, manifested statistically similar cardiometabolic effects in individuals with central obesity at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases with distinct circulating antioxidant properties.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05791370).

Research Insights

  • Olive Oil→Increased HDL Cholesterol

    similar effects on LDL and HDL cholesterol subfractions.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    isocaloric diets (~2400 kcal) enriched with respective test fats
  • Olive Oil→Reduced High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Level

    The mean of the primary outcome plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein was statistically similar between the three diets after a 12-week intervention.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    isocaloric diets (~2400 kcal) enriched with respective test fats
  • Olive Oil→Reduced LDL Cholesterol

    EVOO resulted in significantly lower mean LDL cholesterol compared with RPOO and EVCO, despite similar effects on LDL and HDL cholesterol subfractions.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    isocaloric diets (~2400 kcal) enriched with respective test fats
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