Effects of crackers enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids with benefits for improving metabolic parameters: A...

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), rumenic acid (RmA) and punicic acid (PunA) are thought to have beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of several metabolic disorders. The primary objective of this study is to assess the reduction in waist circumference in individuals consuming crackers enriched with fatty acids compared with a control group. The secondary objectives are to investigate the feasibility of incorporating these fatty acids into crackers, to assess their tolerability, and to evaluate other metabolic benefits.

Eggs naturally enriched with ALA, DHA, RmA and PunA were produced and incorporated into test crackers to propose a healthy food rich in specific fatty acids. A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on 25 subjects with overweight and abdominal adiposity. They were randomly assigned into two groups: a control group consuming control crackers made with oleic acid-enriched eggs and a test group receiving test crackers. Each group consumed a serving of the respective crackers (± 67.5 g) as an afternoon snack every day for 70 days. PUFA incorporation into the crackers was verified through fatty acid profiling, tolerance was assessed using metabolic and cardiovascular parameters. Repeated assessments included anthropometry, blood biomarkers, body composition, liver imaging, satiety questionnaires, dietary intake, physical activity, and compliance.

PUFAs of interest were efficiently incorporated into the crackers made with eggs from hens fed modified diets. Test and control crackers were well tolerated and increased satiety while reducing hunger and intention to eat in the future. There was no change in circulating cholesterol or triglyceride levels. The fatty acid composition of plasma and red blood cells was modified by the type of cracker consumed. In the test group, RmA and PunA significantly increased (P < 0.001) in plasma and RmA was efficiently incorporated into human red blood cells (P < 0.001). However, the primary endpoint was not met as there was no reduction in waist circumference. There was also no difference in body composition (liver fat, adiposity, muscle fat) or insulin resistance levels between the two groups.

The study demonstrates the successful incorporation of bioactive PUFAs into crackers and argues in favor of investigating their potential long-term benefits, thanks to their efficient uptake by plasma and red blood cells.

The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (registration no. NCT05413954).