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The Impact of Coconut and Safflower Oils on Body Composition
Author(s) -
Harris Margaret,
Fryda Lisa,
Hutchins Andrea
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.747.13
Subject(s) - anthropometry , waist , medicine , lean body mass , zoology , obesity , body weight , coconut oil , body mass index , biology , pathology
Twelve postmenopausal women (58.8 + 3.7 yr, 26.4 + 4.6 kg/m2) were randomized in a cross‐over design trial to consume 30 g of virgin coconut oil (CO) or high oleic safflower oil (SO) for 28 days, with a 28‐day washout between interventions. Anthropometrics measured included body weight, hip and waist circumference. Fat percent (%) for total body, android and gynoid, fat mass and lean mass were measured using dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) at each measurement period. Women maintained their typical diet recording 28 days of food records over the span of the project. Results were analyzed with SPSS using the mixed model ANOVA. Comparisons are reported as paired t‐test since no intervention effect was seen. Changes in anthropometrics were minimal and no significant differences were seen in any anthropometric variables between pre and post oil consumption at p < 0.05 or between oils except for weight. Differences in weight were seen between CO and SO (+0.45 + 0.76 vs. ‐0.09 + 0.90, p=0.05), although these differences are not considered clinically significant. Although small and not statistically significant, CO increased lean mass by +0.6% (+274.7± 800.1 g) while SO decreased lean mass by ‐0.3% (‐135 ± 846.6g, p=0.93). This was the first study evaluating the impact of virgin coconut oil on body composition in Caucasian post‐menopausal women living in the US. Although not statistically significant, these findings support data seen in animal studies, Polynesian populations and studies using medium chain triglyceride oils though less pronounced. Results are suggestive that individuals wishing to use coconut oil in their diets can do so safely but more studies need to be conducted with larger sample sizes and diverse populations.