Health Benefits of Diacylglycerol

The State of the Art and A Prospect

Abstract

Diacylglycerol (DAG) is a unique fat that shows unexpected health benefits such as a reduction of body fat in spite of the energy value equivalent to that of the corresponding triacylglycerol. This effect can at least in part be attributed to its absorption characteristics, but the working mechanism is not fully disclosed yet. In addition, when plant sterols were dissolved in DAG, there is a marked stimulation of their hypocholesterolemic activity. Thus, a sophisticated dietary application of DAG may reduce the risk of life style-related disease, a serious social problem nationwide.