Safflower oil and metabolic syndrome risk factors
What it found
In 67 people with metabolic syndrome, taking safflower oil daily for 12 weeks reduced waist size, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar and insulin resistance compared with a placebo.
It also raised adiponectin, while lipid levels and leptin stayed about the same.
What they found
Studies in people
Waist size
Waist circumference fell more in the safflower oil group than in the placebo group.
Blood pressure
Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure dropped more with safflower oil than with placebo.
Blood sugar and insulin
Fasting blood sugar and insulin resistance improved more in the safflower oil group than in the placebo group.
Adiponectin and leptin
Adiponectin rose with safflower oil compared with placebo. Leptin levels were directly related to BMI in both groups, and a rise in BMI came with a small, non-significant fall in adiponectin in both groups.
Lipids and other measures
There was no significant difference between the two groups for lipid profiles, leptin serum level, serum creatinine concentration, and other outcomes.
What the authors conclude
“Safflower oil without lifestyle modification improved abdominal obesity, blood pressure, and insulin resistance in patients with MetS.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that safflower oil without lifestyle modification improved abdominal obesity, blood pressure, and insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome.
How it was done
Safflower has long been recommended for metabolic disorders in traditional herbal medicine in Persia, China, Korea, Japan and other East Asian countries. Its cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant effects are well documented, but its protective effects against metabolic syndrome had not been fully shown.
They ran a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 67 patients with metabolic syndrome. Patients took either 8 g of safflower oil or a placebo daily for 12 weeks, split into divided doses, and were told to keep to their usual diets and physical activity.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This was a 12 week trial in 67 people with metabolic syndrome, so the results may not apply to other groups or to longer periods.
- The trial did not test safflower oil alongside changes to diet or exercise, so it cannot show what happens when it is combined with lifestyle changes.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran; Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran; Shiraz University, Iran
The paper
- Title
- Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) oil could improve abdominal obesity, blood pressure, and insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Ruyvaran M, Zamani A, Mohamadian A, et al (2022). Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) oil could improve abdominal obesity, blood pressure, and insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of ethnopharmacology. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114590PubMed 34487844DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error