The effect of Aloe vera powder on anthropometric and metabolic syndrome’s indices in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blinded controlled clinical trial
Najme Zareian, R. Taheri, Mohammad Hossein Borgei, S. Babajafari, Hamid Mosallanezhad, M. Nikoo, R. Barati‐Boldaji
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose
It is well accepted that diabetes is associated with heart diseases and hyperlipidemia as a risk factor. In traditional medicines, some herbs such as Aloe vera seem to be effective in controlling diabetes. Owing to lack of human studies, this study aims to examine the effect of Aloe vera consumption on fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profiles and body composition in type 2 diabetic patients.
Design/methodology/approach
This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial study was conducted in 2019, in Shiraz, Iran. A total of 56 diabetic subjects were randomized by block randomization to receive a daily supplement of 1,000 mg Aloe vera powder capsules (n = 28) or placebo (n = 28) for eight weeks. At baseline and after eight weeks of treatment, dietary intake and physical activity were assessed by three-day food recall and international physical activity questionnaire. Meanwhile, after an overnight fasting, FBS and lipid profiles were measured. Blood pressure and anthropometric parameters were assessed in the beginning and the end of the study. Independent t-tests were used for between-group analysis and paired t-tests for within-group analysis.
Findings
After intervention, weight, body mass index and waist circumference significantly decreased in comparison to the placebo group (p-value: < 0.001, 0.001 and 0.02). Although, FBS, total triglyceride and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (p-value: 0.03, 0.001 and 0.01), no change has been seen in low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein and total cholesterol blood level and diastolic blood pressure.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations of this study are the short study duration and lack of Aloe vera powder’s ingredient analysis.
Originality/value
This study is one of few human studies investigating the effect of Aloe vera on metabolic syndrome’s indices in diabetic patients. Because pharmacological therapy is tough, not comfort and correlated with potential adverse drug interactions, it is important to find an alternative or complementary measure to aid the diabetic patients. This study shows that Aloe vera has positive effect on body weight and blood sugar.
期刊介绍:
Nutrition & Food Science* (NFS) is an international, double blind peer-reviewed journal offering accessible and comprehensive coverage of food, beverage and nutrition research. The journal draws out the practical and social applications of research, demonstrates best practice through applied research and case studies and showcases innovative or controversial practices and points of view. The journal is an invaluable resource to inform individuals, organisations and the public on modern thinking, research and attitudes to food science and nutrition. NFS welcomes empirical and applied research, viewpoint papers, conceptual and technical papers, case studies, meta-analysis studies, literature reviews and general reviews which take a scientific approach to the following topics: -Attitudes to food and nutrition -Healthy eating/ nutritional public health initiatives, policies and legislation -Clinical and community nutrition and health (including public health and multiple or complex co-morbidities) -Nutrition in different cultural and ethnic groups -Nutrition during pregnancy, lactation, childhood, and young adult years -Nutrition for adults and older people -Nutrition in the workplace -Nutrition in lower and middle income countries (incl. comparisons with higher income countries) -Food science and technology, including food processing and microbiological quality -Genetically engineered foods -Food safety / quality, including chemical, physical and microbiological analysis of how these aspects effect health or nutritional quality of foodstuffs