Palm olein and olive oil compared for blood fats in Chinese adults
What it found
In 120 Chinese adults, eating palm olein or olive oil for two months made no noticeable difference to blood fats, blood sugar or body fatness.
The trial compared the two oils directly in the same people.
What they found
Studies in people
Blood cholesterol
Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were not significantly different between the palm olein and olive oil periods.
Triglycerides and Apo B
Levels of triglycerides and Apo B were also not significantly different between the two oils.
Blood sugar and insulin
Fasting glucose and insulin concentrations showed no significant difference between the palm olein and olive oil periods.
Body fatness
BMI did not differ significantly between the two oil periods.
What the authors conclude
“In a dietary crossover trial, palm olein and olive oil had no recognisably different effects on body fatness or blood lipids in a healthy Chinese population.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that palm olein and olive oil had no recognisably different effects on body fatness or blood lipids in a healthy Chinese population.
- They state that this was shown in a dietary crossover trial.
How it was done
Palm oil is high in saturated fat, which was thought to be bad for blood fats, but some studies have found no harm or even benefits. The authors wanted to test whether palm olein, which is high in monounsaturated fat at a key position like olive oil, affects blood fats differently from olive oil.
They recruited 120 people from a spinnery in Yixing city and split them into two groups. Each person took 48 g of either palm olein or olive oil daily for two months, then switched to the other oil after a two-week break. Body measurements and blood fats were checked at the end of each period.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This trial was in healthy Chinese adults, so the results may not apply to other groups or to people with existing health conditions.
- It only tested two months of use, so it cannot show what might happen over a longer time.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Southeast University, China; National Institute for Nutrition and Health, China; Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, China
The paper
- Title
- Effects of palm olein and olive oil on serum lipids in a Chinese population: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Sun G, Xia H, Yang Y, et al (2018). Effects of palm olein and olive oil on serum lipids in a Chinese population: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial. Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition. doi:10.6133/apjcn.032017.12PubMed 29737804DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error