Effect of Medium Chain Fatty Acids on Body Composition in Individuals with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of medium-chain triacylglycerol (MCT) intake on the body composition of individuals with overweight and obesity through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched until January 2026. The primary outcome was the change in fat mass (FM) between the MCT intake and control groups; secondary outcomes included body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC), and lean mass (LM). Pooled effect sizes were estimated using random-effects models, and certainty was assessed using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). RoB-2 was used for assessing risk of bias.

Results

Seven RCTs (N = 346) were included in this study. MCT intake significantly reduced FM (SMD: -0.42; 95% CI: -0.67 to -0.17), BW (SMD: -0.41; 95% CI: -0.64 to -0.18), and WC (SMD: -0.42; 95% CI: -0.69 to -0.14) compared to controls, with no significant effect on LM. Heterogeneity was low (I2 = 0%), although the certainty of the evidence was low. Sensitivity analyses for BMI ≧ 25 kg/m2 confirmed these findings. Adverse events associated with MCT intake are rare and well-tolerated.

Conclusion

MCT intake effectively and safely reduced body fat and waist circumference while preserving lean mass, suggesting its value in obesity management.