Current intakes of trans-palmitoleic (trans-C16:1 n-7) and trans-vaccenic (trans-C18:1 n-7) acids in France are exclusively ensured by ruminant milk and ruminant meat: A market basket investigation.

ABSTRACT

High circulating levels of trans-palmitoleic acid (TPA) are associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes in humans. Thus, the origin of circulating TPA matters. Direct intakes of TPA are ensured by dairy products, and perhaps by partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs). Indirect intakes of TPA rely on dietary trans-vaccenic acid (TVA), which occurs in ruminant-derived foods and PHOs. As it is usually assumed that PHOs are not used any longer, we analyzed here a wide range of foods currently available at retail in France. We report that TPA and TVA (1) do occur in ruminant milk and meat, dairy products and in foreign PHOs, (2) do occur in dairy fat-containing foods and (3) do not occur in dairy fat-free foods. Together, our findings demonstrate that ruminant fats are the only contributors to circulating levels of TPA in humans.