Blood triglyceride, free fatty acid and insulin levels are lower after acute intake of an oil-water-monoglyceride gel versus an oil-water mixture, demonstrating that food matrix nanostructure and microstructure can be engineered to modulate the physiological response. Oil emulsification by the monoglyceride Lα liquid-crystalline lamellar phase, followed by droplet wall crystallization, encapsulates oil and creates a material with the functionality and properties of a fat. This novel phase is devoid of trans fatty acids and can be manufactured with as little as 4% added saturated monoglyceride.
Encapsulation-stucturing of edible oil attenuates acute elevation of blood lipids and insulin in humans.