The effect of minimal dietary changes with raisins in NAFLD patients with non-significant fibrosis: a randomized controlled intervention

Abstract

Aiming at investigating the potential effect of minimal dietary changes in NAFLD patients with non-significant fibrosis, 55 patients with NAFLD were enrolled in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Patients were assigned into two isocaloric dietary treatment groups for 24 weeks: (a) nutritional counseling (Control arm, N = 27), (b) nutritional counseling with currants included (two fruit servings, 36 g per day), substituting snacks of similar caloric content (Currant arm, N = 28). Clinical tests, anthropometrics, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were conducted pre- and post-intervention. A total of 50 patients completed the trial. Significant differences between the two arms post-intervention were observed in fasting glucose and in IL-6 levels, these being significantly decreased only in Currant patients. Body weight, BMI, HbA, CRP and EUS values decreased in both arms, differences being insignificant between the two arms post-intervention. Participants in the Currant arm had significantly reduced total body fat, WC and trunk fat. Ultrasound scanning improved significantly in patients snacking currants daily. Also, volunteers enrolled in the Currant arm showed a reduced intake of saturated fatty acids. Because BW regulation has been officially recognised as a treatment approach in NAFLD an additional analysis was repeated in patients adhering to this. Post-intervention, the decrease in IL-6 and in fasting glucose was significantly higher in Currant patients who lost BW compared to their counterparts in the Control arm. Conclusively, minimal modifications in snacking choices, such as the inclusion of dried grapes in diet, are beneficial in NAFLD patients with non-significant fibrosis.

Food sources of fructose-containing sugars and glycaemic control: systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled intervention studies

“…Of 285 reports reviewed in full, an additional 164 reports were excluded for failure to meet the eligibility criteria. The final analysis included 118 reports of controlled intervention studies, 5 11 12 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 …”

Plant-Based Foods and Their Bioactive Compounds on Fatty Liver Disease: Effects, Mechanisms, and Clinical Application

“…A randomized cross-over clinical trial based on 61 obese children with NAFLD proved that daily consumption of 100 mL of tomato juice for 60 days could improve hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, levels of leptin, and lipid profiles [156]. Additionally, a clinical trial found that in 55 patients, a 24-week intake of 36 g per day of dried grapes was beneficial for the prevention and management of NAFLD [157]. Moreover, the consumption of 30 to 35 g per day of dietary fiber from fruits could alleviate hepatic steatosis and improve intestinal permeability in NAFLD patients [158].…”

Effects of Fresh Watermelon Consumption on the Acute Satiety Response and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults

“…After four weeks, body weight and BMI increased in the LFC trial and decreased in the watermelon trial. Only a few intervention studies have compared a fruit snack with a processed snack, and none showed significant effects on body weight or other measures of adiposity [11,26,27]. Watermelon consumption has been associated with reduced weight gain and fat mass in some animal studies [18,28].…”