Effects of garlic powder supplementation on metabolic syndrome components, insulin resistance, fatty liver index, and appetite in subjects with metabolic syndrome: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing. It is closely linked to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Garlic consumption as a strategy for the management of MetS has been suggested. We investigated the effect of garlic supplementation on MetS components, insulin resistance, fatty liver index (FLI), and appetite in subjects with MetS. Ninety subjects were assigned to receive 1,600 mg/d garlic powder or placebo for 3 months. The primary outcomes included MetS components. The secondary outcomes included insulin resistance, FLI, and appetite. Garlic supplementation compared with the placebo led to a significant increase in high density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (4.5 vs. −1.8, p < .001) and a significant reduction in waist circumference (−1.3 vs. 0.0, p = .001), diastolic blood pressure (−6.7 vs. 0.0, p < .001), systolic blood pressure (−7.7 vs. 0.5, p < .001), triglyceride (−40.0 vs. 0.1, p < .001), γ‐glutamyl transferase (−3.2 vs. 0.6, p = .01), FLI (−5.5 vs. 0.1, p < .001), insulin (−2.9 vs. −1.1, p < .001), homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance (−0.5 vs. −0.3, p < .001) and appetite (hunger: −11.7 vs. 1.7, p < .001; fullness: 10.0 vs. 0.3, p = .001; desire to eat: −6.7 vs. 2.1, p < .001; and ability to eat: −11.5 vs. −1.0, p < .001). Garlic improves MetS components, insulin resistance, FLI, and appetite.

Garlic supplementation improves intestinal transit time, lipid accumulation product and cardiometabolic indices in subjects with metabolic syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

“…In other words, energy intake reduction can improve visceral obesity and cardiometabolic indices. We have previously shown that garlic can reduce appetite and energy intake (Sangouni, Alizadeh, Jamalzehi, & Parastouei, 2021), and the mean reduction of energy intake in our intervention group was significantly lower than in the control group after 12 weeks, corroborating these results. In order to find a more realistic effect of garlic powder supplementation (independent of energy intake reduction), the mean change in energy intake was considered a confounding factor in the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and the findings remained unchanged.…”

“…We used the same data for the present article. To follow the principles of ethics in research, we clarify that Figure 1 and the baseline characteristics of our previous article (Sangouni, Alizadeh, et al, 2021) have been added to the present article.…”

New Advances in Metabolic Syndrome, from Prevention to Treatment: The Role of Diet and Food

“…Over the years, several plants have been studied to evaluate their beneficial effects on MetS. A double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in order to investigate the effect of garlic ( Allium sativum L.) supplementation on MetS manifestations including insulin resistance, fatty liver index (FLI), and orexigenic stimuli [ 118 ]. Ninety participants were divided into two groups; the first group was given four garlic powder tablets per day (400 mg of garlic powder per tablet), while the second group received a placebo (also four times a day).…”

Biological properties and therapeutic applications of garlic and its components

“…24,103–105 Garlic has also been reported to improve components of the metabolic syndrome in humans by increasing high-density cholesterol and reducing waist circumference, weight, arterial pressure, and insulin resistance. 106,107…”