Monounsaturated Fats Reduce Belly Fat, Cut Down Metabolic Syndrome Risk

Using monounsaturated oils to cook may reduce the fat around the belly, according to a new study. Researchers say that certain vegetable oils may reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome in people.

About one in three in the U.S. and one in five people in Canada have metabolic syndrome, which means that the person suffers from a group of risk factors that put him or her at a higher risk of developing chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes type-2 or stroke.

The study included 121 people who were at risk for metabolic syndrome like increased belly fat, low levels of HDL or good cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc. Each participant was given a daily smoothie that had 40 grams (1.42 ounces) of one of five oils along with a healthy 2,000 calories per day diet.

Study results showed that people with high intake of canola oil or high-oleic canola oils had lower levels of belly fat by the end of four weeks when compared to people who had other oils. Other oils like safflower and flax oils, which aren't known to have monounsaturated fats, weren't associated with any change in the abdominal fat.

"The monounsaturated fats in these vegetable oils appear to reduce abdominal fat, which in turn may decrease metabolic syndrome risk factors," said Penny Kris-Etherton, Professor of Nutrition, Penn State, in a news release.

Vegetables oils are considered as good for the heart because they contain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), more specifically omega-6 linoleic acid. According to Medline Plus, saturated fats increase levels of LDL or bad fats in the body and so raise a person's chances of heart disease and stroke. Ideally, only 10 percent of a person's daily energy must come from saturated fats in the diet.

"It is evident that further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms that account for belly fat loss on a diet high in monounsaturated fatty acids. Our study indicates that simple dietary changes, such as using vegetable oils high in monounsaturated fatty acids, may reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome and therefore heart disease, stroke and type-2 diabetes," said Kris-Etherton.