Sesame oil vs sunflower oil in women with fatty liver disease
What it found
In 53 women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, sesame oil and sunflower oil had similar effects on body measurements, systolic blood pressure and most blood fats over 12 weeks.
Sesame oil led to a slightly larger drop in diastolic blood pressure and in the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol.
What they found
Studies in people
Body measurements
Both groups lost weight and had smaller waist, hip and other body measurements after 12 weeks. There was no difference between the sesame oil and sunflower oil groups.
Blood pressure
Systolic blood pressure dropped in both groups, with no difference between them. Diastolic blood pressure dropped by about 4 mmHg more in the sesame oil group than in the sunflower oil group.
Blood fats
Most blood fat measures, including total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, did not change differently between the two groups. The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol fell more in the sesame oil group.
Side effects
No side effects from the oils were reported during the study.
Vitamin E intake
Vitamin E intake increased more in the sesame oil group than in the sunflower oil group.
What the authors conclude
“The present clinical trial revealed that SO and SFO may not differently affect anthropometric indices, SBP, and lipid profile except for TC/HDL-C.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that sesame oil and sunflower oil may not differently affect body measurements, systolic blood pressure and blood fats, except for the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol.
- They say sesame oil may be effective in improving diastolic blood pressure and the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol compared to sunflower oil.
- They call for further well-designed studies to confirm these results.
How it was done
The authors wanted to test whether sesame oil, which is rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, could improve blood fats, blood pressure and body measurements in women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, since no human study had looked at this before.
They randomly assigned 60 women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to eat 30 g per day of either sesame oil or sunflower oil for 12 weeks, while everyone followed a diet with 500 fewer calories per day. Blood fats, blood pressure and body measurements were checked at the start and end. In total, 53 women finished the study.
What it can’t tell you
- This trial lasted only 12 weeks, so it cannot show what happens over a longer period.
- The women in this study all had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, so the results may not apply to other people.
- The study did not measure fatty acids in red blood cells or vitamin E levels in blood, so it cannot confirm how well the oils were absorbed.
Who paid
- Funding
- Funded by Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (from the PubMed record).
- Conflicts
- The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
- Authors work at
- Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Islamic Republic of Iran; Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Islamic Republic of Iran
The paper
- Title
- 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
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Vahedi H, Atefi M, Entezari MH, Hassanzadeh A (2022). 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. Trials. doi:10.1186/s13063-022-06451-1Free full textPubMed 35804451DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error