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
ISSN: 0034-6659
Article publication date: 18 November 2021
Issue publication date: 28 April 2022
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.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Declarations.
Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Availability of data and materials: The data sets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Funding: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Authors’ contributions.
Najme Zareian: Contribution to the conception and design of the work, drafting the paper.
Reihane Taheri: Interpretation of data, drafting the paper.
Mohammad Borghei: Interpretation of data, drafting the paper.
Reza Bararti-Boldaji: Interpretation of data, drafting the paper.
Abdolhamid Mosallanezhad: Contribution to the conception and design.
Mohammad Hossein Nikoo: Interpretation of data, drafting the paper.
Siavash Babajafari: Contribution to the conception and design of the work, drafting the paper.
This study was a master’s thesis supported by Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Iran). The authors thank all participants for their help in this study.
Citation
Zareian, N., Taheri, R., Borgei, M.H., Babajafari, S., Mosallanezhad, H., Nikoo, M.H. and Barati-Boldaji, R. (2022), "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", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 52 No. 4, pp. 740-751. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-06-2021-0175
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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