A research team led by Professor Ji Yeon Kim from the Department of Food Science and Biotechnology at Seoul National University of Science and Technology in South Korea announced on Jul. 30 that perilla oil supplementation can improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation in healthy smokers. The findings were published online on May 13, 2026, and appeared in Volume 17, Issue 22 of Food and Function on June 22, 2026.
The randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 65 healthy smokers aged between 19 and 69 years. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either perilla oil capsules or visually identical placebo capsules for eight weeks. The selection of smokers was based on smoking being a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
After eight weeks of supplementation, researchers observed that those who received perilla oil showed significantly prolonged collagen-induced ADP closure time (C-ADP CT), a measure related to platelet function. There was also a reduction in mRNA expression levels of inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and T-box transcription factor 21 (TBX21). Additionally, increased levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and its metabolites were detected in both plasma and red blood cells among the perilla oil group. Plasma levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), another omega-3 fatty acid associated with anti-inflammatory effects, also rose.
Professor Kim said, "While perilla oil has long been an integral part of Korean food culture, its potential cardiovascular benefits have not been fully recognized. Our research demonstrates these benefits and shows how perilla oil can support cardiovascular health and improve blood circulation." She added, "The results of our study show that perilla oil supplementation positively modulates blood coagulation, and reduces inflammation, even in individuals with high oxidative stress such as smokers. Perilla oil can be easily integrated into daily diets as a vegan-friendly alternative to fish oil for individuals seeking to manage vascular health."
Researchers also performed a high-fat, high-glucose loading test but did not observe significant benefits from perilla oil during this assessment period. They suggested that longer-term supplementation might be necessary to detect such effects under metabolic stress conditions.
Although further studies are needed to confirm these findings over longer periods or among other populations at risk for cardiovascular disease, the current results suggest that incorporating perilla oil into daily diets could offer an accessible dietary intervention for improving blood flow.
