How should we judge edible oils and fats? An umbrella review of the health effects of nutrient and bioactive components found in edible oils and fats

Abstract

Dietary guidelines for many Western countries base their edible oil and fat recommendations solely on saturated fatty acid content. This study aims to demonstrate which nutritional and bioactive components make up commonly consumed edible oils and fats; and explore the health effects and strength of evidence for key nutritional and bioactive components of edible oils. An umbrella review was conducted in several stages. Food composition databases of Australia and the United States of America, and studies were examined to profile nutrient and bioactive content of edible oils and fats. PUBMED and Cochrane databases were searched for umbrella reviews, systematic literature reviews of randomized controlled trials or cohort studies, individual randomized controlled trials, and individual cohort studies to examine the effect of the nutrient or bioactive on high-burden chronic diseases (cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, cancer, mental illness, cognitive impairment). Substantial systematic literature review evidence was identified for fatty acid categories, tocopherols, biophenols, and phytosterols. Insufficient evidence was identified for squalene. The evidence supports high mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid compositions, total biophenol content, phytosterols, and possibly high α-tocopherol content as having beneficial effects on high-burden health comes. Future dietary guidelines should use a more sophisticated approach to judge edible oils beyond saturated fatty acid content.

Keywords:

• Guideline
• nutrition policy
• fatty acids
• tocopherols
• polyphenols
• phytosterols
• squalene
• plant oils
• fats

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Jacqui Plozza, Sarah Gray, and Leandro Ravetti from Boundary Bend Ltd their contribution to the stakeholder consultation and for providing top suggestions on the proposed methodology.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Disclaimer

All authors worked independently work for Nutrition Research Australia, which is funded by government, not-for-profits, professional, community, and industry organizations. All authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funding body, Boundary Bend Ltd contributed to the study concept, provided stakeholder consultation, and advised on the top line eligibility criteria; but had no role in the drafting or revision of the manuscript.

Authorship

FFM, SM, and TC developed the study concept. KA, ED, and ST contributed to study selection and data extraction. ST drafted the manuscript with contributions from KA. All coauthors revised the manuscript for accuracy and clarity; and approved the final version.

Additional information

Funding

This project has been funded by a research grant from Boundary Bend Pty Ltd.