Postprandial Responses to Meals Enriched With Canola or Coconut Oil in Men and Women With a Risk Phenotype for Cardiometabolic Diseases: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

2025-06-19
Molecular nutrition & food research 69(19)
- Hannah F Kienēs
- Christina Diekmann
- Tim Schiemann
- Carolin Wiechmann
- Christina Kopp
- Birgit Stoffel-Wagner
- Martin Coenen
- Robert Németh
- Sarah Egert

PubMed: 40534325
DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.70147

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 29
Population: 29 participants with increased cardiometabolic risk
Methods: randomized crossover trial, four isoenergetic meals containing 25 or 50 g of canola or coconut oil, blood samples collected fasting and 6 h postprandially
Blinding: Open-label
Duration: 6 h postprandially
Funding: Unclear

Rigorous Journal

We investigated the metabolic response to meals with canola or coconut oil (rich in unsaturated vs. rich in saturated fatty acids [FAs]). Although the longer-term metabolic effects of these fats are well evidenced, their postprandial effects remain inconclusive. In this randomized crossover trial, 29 participants with increased cardiometabolic risk consumed four isoenergetic meals containing 25 or 50 g (low-fat meals [LFMs], high-fat meals [HFMs]) of canola or coconut oil. Blood samples for analysis of triglycerides (TGs), glucose, insulin, nonesterified FAs (NEFAs), IL-6, and individual FAs were collected in the fasting state and 6 h postprandially (every 0.5-1 h). The incremental areas under the curves (iAUCs) of TGs and IL-6 were higher after canola than after coconut oil. Concentrations of lauric and myristic acid were higher after coconut oil, while concentrations of oleic, linoleic, and α-linolenic acid were higher after canola oil. The TG iAUC was higher after HFMs than after corresponding LFMs. NEFAs decreased more after LFMs than after HFMs. The glucose and insulin iAUCs were higher after LFMs than after HFMs. Canola and coconut oil induced different metabolic responses. The manner and strength of the postprandial effects differed depending on the parameter.

Research Insights

Coconut→Improved Insulin Levels
The glucose and insulin iAUCs were higher after LFMs than after HFMs. (No significant difference between canola vs coconut for insulin iAUC reported)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
25 or 50 g per meal
Coconut→Increased Blood Glucose Levels
The glucose and insulin iAUCs were higher after LFMs than after HFMs. (No significant difference between canola vs coconut for glucose iAUC reported)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
25 or 50 g per meal
Coconut→Increased Free Fatty Acid Levels
NEFAs decreased more after LFMs than after HFMs. (NEFA iAUC comparison by fat type not explicitly reported as significant; main effect is by fat dose, not oil type)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
25 or 50 g per meal
Coconut→Increased Interleukin-10 Levels
The incremental areas under the curves (iAUCs) of ... IL-6 were higher after canola than after coconut oil.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
25 or 50 g per meal
Coconut→Increased Lauric Acid Level
Concentrations of lauric and myristic acid were higher after coconut oil, while concentrations of oleic, linoleic, and α-linolenic acid were higher after canola oil.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
25 or 50 g per meal
Coconut→Increased Myristic Acid Level
Concentrations of lauric and myristic acid were higher after coconut oil, while concentrations of oleic, linoleic, and α-linolenic acid were higher after canola oil.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
25 or 50 g per meal
Coconut→Increased Triglyceride Level
The incremental areas under the curves (iAUCs) of TGs ... were higher after canola than after coconut oil.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
25 or 50 g per meal