Sunflower seed extract supplementation reduces body fat in adults with obesity: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

• The trial was to assess the effect of sunflower seed extract (SUN-CA) on body fat. • A daily intake of SUN-CA for 12 weeks led to decreases in body fat. • SUN-CA improved body weight, body mass index, and hip circumference. • No difference in adverse events was found between the SUN-CA and placebo groups. • SUN-CA could be an effective and safe option for the management of body fat. Obesity is an important public health problem and socioeconomic burden. We hypothesized that an intake of sunflower seed extract (SUN-CA) would decrease body fat and then investigated the effects and safety of SUN-CA intake on body fat in adults with obesity as an option for obesity treatment. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 100 adults with body mass indices of 25 to 31.9 kg/m2 were assigned to groups that received SUN-CA (n = 50) or a placebo (n = 50) and received 1 tablet/day containing 500 mg of SUN-CA or the placebo over a 12-week period. The primary endpoint was the change in mass and percentage of body fat. The group that received SUN-CA daily showed decreases in body fat mass greater than those in the placebo group (−0.9 ± 1.8 kg vs. −0.1 ± 1.4 kg, P =.043). In addition, body weight, body mass index, and hip circumference improved after the intake of SUN-CA relative to the changes in the placebo group. There was no intergroup differences in the prevalence of adverse events. The accumulation of excess body fat improved through the intake of 500 mg/day of SUN-CA containing 100 mg of chlorogenic acids for 12 weeks in adults with obesity without causing serious adverse side effects. SUN-CA could be an effective and safe management option for obesity. The trial was registered at Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS: https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/index/index.do) as KCT0005733. Intake of 500 mg/day of sunflower seed extract containing 100 mg of chlorogenic acids for 12 weeks in adults with obesity led to decreases in body fat without causing severe adverse side effects. In addition, body weight, body mass index, and hip circumference improved after the intake of sunflower seed extract compared to the changes in the placebo group. Sunflower seed extract supplementation could be an effective and safe management option for obesity. Abbreviation: RCT, randomized controlled trial. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]