The effect of sesame oil consumption compared to sunflower oil on lipid profile, blood pressure, and anthropometric indices in women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized double-blind controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases in the world. There is strong evidence that dyslipidemia and other cardio-metabolic disorders are highly prevalent in patients with NAFLD. This trial aimed at examining the effect of sesame oil (SO) in the context of a weight loss program on lipid profile, blood pressure, and anthropometric indices in women with NAFLD. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was carried out on 60 women with NAFLD. Subjects were randomly assigned to the SO group (n = 30) and sunflower oil (SFO) group (n = 30), each person consuming 30 g of oil per day for 12 weeks. All the participants received a hypocaloric diet (- 500 kcal/day) during the study. Lipid profile, blood pressure, and anthropometric indices were assessed at pre- and post-intervention phases. Results: In total, 53 participants completed the study. Following 12 weeks of intervention, anthropometric indices (p < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p < 0.05) were significantly decreased in both groups and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was significantly decreased in So group (p = 0.03). There was no significant change in lipid profile in both groups (p > 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, DBP (p = 0.031) and total cholesterol (TC) divided by high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p = 0.039) in the SO group were significantly reduced compared to the SFO group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The present clinical trial revealed that SO and SFO may not differently affect anthropometric indices, SBP, and lipid profile except for TC/HDL-C. In addition, SO may be effective in improvement of DBP and TC/HDL-C compared to the SFO group.