Dates fruit effects on dyslipidemia among patients with Type-2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Abstract

Objectives: Dyslipidemias are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and other comorbidities. The focus on food and nutrition to prevent and treat cardiovascular risk factors including dyslipidemia is a paradigm shift. This is the first meta-analysis to assess the association of dates fruit and dyslipidemia in Type-2 diabetes. The study aimed to assess the same among patients with Type-2 diabetes.

Methods: Six databases were searched for relevant articles from inception to March 2024. We included randomized trials, studies with other methods, and those conducted among healthy people were excluded. A structured checklist including the author's name, country, year of publication, study type, duration of the study, lipid profile at baseline and after-dates fruit consumption, age, and gender of participants, type of dates, and the amount consumed.

Results: Out of the 448 studies retrieved, fourteen cohorts from four studies (298 participants with Type-2 diabetes) were included. Dates fruit reduced cholesterol, odd ratio, -0.87, 95% CI, -1.39--0.35, P-value, 0.001, and I² for heterogeneity=90%. No significant changes were observed on low-density lipoprotein (odd ratio, -0.31, 95% CI, -0.65-0.03, and P-value, 0.08), triglycerides (odd ratio, -0.77, 95% CI, -2.17--0.63, P-value 0.28), and high-density lipoproteins (odd ratio, 0.03, 95% CI, -0.13-0.19, P-value, 0.69). The I² for heterogeneity were=99%, 95%, and 65% respectively.

Conclusion: Dates fruit could reduce total cholesterol, with a non-significant reduction in low-density lipoproteins. No significant effect was evident regarding triglycerides and high-density lipoproteins. Further larger studies with a high selection of controls and dates are needed.