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Cited by 280Diet and metabolism studiesFatty Acid Research and HealthDietary Effects on Health

Medium‐Chain Triglycerides Increase Energy Expenditure and Decrease Adiposity in Overweight Men

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St‐Onge, Marie‐Pierre, Ross, Robert, Parsons, William D., Jones, Peter J.H.·2003·Obesity Research
DOI 10.1038/oby.2003.53
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Abstract

Objective: The objectives of this study were to compare the effects of diets rich in medium‐chain triglycerides (MCTs) or long‐chain triglycerides (LCTs) on body composition, energy expenditure, substrate oxidation, subjective appetite, and ad libitum energy intake in overweight men. Research Methods and Procedures: Twenty‐four healthy, overweight men with body mass indexes between 25 and 31 kg/m 2 consumed diets rich in MCT or LCT for 28 days each in a crossover randomized controlled trial. At baseline and after 4 weeks of each dietary intervention, energy expenditure was measured using indirect calorimetry, and body composition was analyzed using magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Upper body adipose tissue (AT) decreased to a greater extent (p < 0.05) with functional oil (FctO) compared with olive oil (OL) consumption (−0.67 ± 0.26 kg and −0.02 ± 0.19 kg, respectively). There was a trend toward greater loss of whole‐body subcutaneous AT volume (p = 0.087) with FctO compared with OL consumption. Average energy expenditure was 0.04 ± 0.02 kcal/min greater (p < 0.05) on day 2 and 0.03 ± 0.02 kcal/min (not significant) on day 28 with FctO compared with OL consumption. Similarly, average fat oxidation was greater (p = 0.052) with FctO compared with OL intake on day 2 but not day 28. Discussion: Consumption of a diet rich in MCTs results in greater loss of AT compared with LCTs, perhaps due to increased energy expenditure and fat oxidation observed with MCT intake. Thus, MCTs may be considered as agents that aid in the prevention of obesity or potentially stimulate weight loss.

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  • A meta-analysis by St-Onge and Jones concluded that consumption of medium-chain triglycerides, abundant in coconut oil, leads to greater energy expenditure and fat oxidation compared to long-chain triglycerides.

    “Furthermore, a meta-analysis by St-Onge and Jones [151] concluded that consumption of MCTs, abundant in coconut oil, leads to greater energy expenditure and fat oxidation compared to long-chain triglycerides (LCTs).”

    From Nutritional composition and bioactive properties of tropical coconut palm fruit with functional food applications (2025) · cites this paper as [151]

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Authors
St‐Onge, M., Ross, R., Parsons, W. D., & Jones, P. J. H.
Affiliations
  • McGill University (CA)
  • Queen's University (CA)
Corresponding author
Jones, Peter J.H.
ORCID
Venue
Obesity Research
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2003-03
Volume
11
Issue
3
Pages
395-402
ISSN
  • 1071-7323 (ISSN-L)
  • 1550-8528
DOI
10.1038/oby.2003.53
OpenAlex
W2168253077
Cited by
280
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 10
FWCI
5.38
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 3477 d)
Locations
  • Obesity Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Dairy Farmers of Canada
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Diet and metabolism studies
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Dietary Effects on Health
Keywords
medium-chain triglycerides, long-chain triglycerides, energy expenditure, adiposity, body composition, fat oxidation, substrate oxidation, appetite, energy intake, functional oils, olive oil, overweight men, weight loss, obesity prevention
MeSH terms
Olive Oil, Adipose Tissue, Basal Metabolism, Body Composition, Body Weight, Energy Intake, Calorimetry, Indirect, Cholesterol, Dietary Fats, Unsaturated, Energy Metabolism, Feces, Humans, Lipids, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Obesity, Plant Oils, Triglycerides, Weight Loss, Body Mass Index, Cross-Over Studies

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