Mohammad Reza Amini

Moringa oleifera is suggested as an antihypertensive and anti‐obesity agent, but there is insufficient evidence to establish a causal link between Moringa oleifera and reductions in blood pressure and body measurements in humans. This systematic review and meta‐analysis seek to examine the effects of Moringa oleifera on body weight and blood pressure. A search was conducted through Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed, along with a manual review of bibliographies, for articles published up to July 2024. Out of 2295 articles, eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The results indicated that Moringa oleifera consumption significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) by weighted mean differences (WMDs): −6.00 mmHg, p < 0.001 and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by WMD: −7.32 mmHg, p < 0.001. However, no significant changes were observed in body mass index (BMI) ( p = 0.435) and body weight ( p = 0.938) compared to those who did not consume Moringa oleifera . Subgroup analyses revealed that SBP significantly decreased in adults consuming 5–10 g/day of Moringa oleifera , particularly in individuals with a BMI below 29.9 and those treated for more than 4 weeks. Furthermore, Moringa oleifera intake was linked to a significant reduction in DBP among participants taking < 10 g/day, those who were overweight, and individuals who supplemented for over 4 weeks. Our systematic review and meta‐analysis of RCT indicated that Moringa oleifera had a significant impact on blood pressure, but it did not affect body weight or BMI. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings.

Aims: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are two diseases that are related to each other and the presence of both can increase the risk of heart attack and death. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of anthropometric indices in predicting the risk of MetS among T2DM patients in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this study, 400 T2DM subjects were included via convenience sampling. Some anthropometric information, such as weight, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference along with biochemical data including fasting blood sugar, lipid profile components, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, were collected. The performance of the anthropometric indices in predicting MetS was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and estimation of the area under the curve (AUC) values. Results: Abdominal volume index (AVI) had the largest AUC in the total population. Although this result was also obtained in females, the highest value of AUC was related to vaisceral adiposity index (VAI) in males. All of the anthropometric indices increased the odds of MetS significantly, with p < 0.001 in all crude and adjusted models. Although AVI had the highest odds ratio in the crude model (21.28, 95% CI 12.26–36.92), the highest odds ratio belonged to Relative fat mass (RFM) in the adjusted models. Conclusions: All anthropometric indices used in the study were effective in predicting the odds of MetS. AVI and VAI showed the strongest associations with MetS in both genders. Given the cross‐sectional design of the study, these results should be interpreted as associations rather than causal or predictive relationships.

This study aimed to review the literature on studies that evaluated the effects of Cranberry consumption on body weight (BW) and liver enzymes in humans. The following databases were searched up to December 2024: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Data were pooled by the use of the inverse variance method and expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Ten studies were included in this meta‐analysis. The results indicated that cranberry consumption significantly reduced body mass index (BMI) (WMD: −0.30 kg/m ² , 95% CI: −0.55, −0.04, p = 0.023) while cranberry did not significantly affect aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (WMD: 1.42 IU/L, 95% CI: −0.80, 3.64, p = 0.209), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (WMD: −0.09 IU/L, 95% CI: −3.63, 3.46, p = 0.962), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (WMD: −0.54 IU/L, 95% CI: −5.83, 4.75, p = 0.841), waist circumference (WC) (WMD: −0.37 cm, 95% CI: −1.66, 0.91, p = 0.568), and BW (WMD: −0.91 kg, 95% CI: −2.09, 0.27, p = 0.132). Cranberry consumption did lead to a reduction in BMI among adults over 50 years, those classified as overweight, and participants treated for more than 8 weeks. Conversely, cranberry intake was also linked to a significant increase in AST levels within these subgroups. Overall, the findings suggest that cranberry supplementation notably reduced BMI, particularly among older adults, overweight individuals, and participants who engaged in the intervention for more than 8 weeks.

Background: The aim of this paper, which includes a meta‐analysis, is to elucidate the effects of cranberry consumption on systolic and diastolic blood pressure based on all relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was performed across the ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases, encompassing trials published until December 2024. Weighted mean differences (WMD) were calculated using random or fixed‐effects models. Between‐study heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochrane's test and the I ² index. This study's registration number in PROSPERO is CRD420251028424. Results: A total of 1204 publications were reviewed, leading to the inclusion of 12 trials for qualitative synthesis and meta‐analysis. The pooled effect size indicated statistically nonsignificant reductions of 1.31 mmHg for systolic blood pressure (SBP) ( p = 0.19) and 1.31 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ( p = 0.12). Stratified analysis showed that the reduction in SBP was statistically significant in studies where cranberry was provided in juice form, with a duration of 8 weeks or less, involving participants with a mean age of < 50 years, and predominantly in females. Furthermore, subgroup analysis indicated a significant reduction in DBP in studies that involved both genders, lasted more than 8 weeks, included participants with a normal body mass index, and had a mean age below 50 years. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta‐analysis suggest that cranberry consumption was not effective in managing SBP and DBP.

Previous clinical trials examining the effects of cranberry on inflammatory markers have yielded inconsistent results. This study specifically aimed to assess the influence of cranberry consumption on C‐reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin‐6 in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A thorough systematic review was conducted by searching ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar up to December 21, 2024, with no language restrictions applied, by two independent authors. The results were synthesized using the DerSimonian and Laird random‐effects model. From an initial pool of 1882 articles, 10 were selected for the systematic review and meta‐analysis. The findings indicated that cranberry did not significantly influence CRP (weighted mean differences (WMD): 0.01 mg/L; 95% CI: −0.38 to 0.40, p = 0.95; I ² : 80.8%) or Interleukin‐6 (WMD: −0.26 pg/mL; 95% CI: −1.78 to 1.27, p = 0.74; I ² : 86.1%). However, it was observed that cranberry consumption was associated with a significant rise in CRP levels in obese individuals or in studies focused solely on women. Furthermore, research showed that the active ingredient in cranberry, when administered in powder form, could lead to a considerable increase in interleukin‐6 levels. This review and meta‐analysis suggest that cranberry supplementation did not affect CRP or Interleukin‐6 levels. To further assess and validate these results, more long‐term and well‐designed RCTs are needed.

Background: Plant derivatives, particularly anthocyanin‐rich phytochemicals, have been shown to positively influence metabolic parameters. This study aimed to systematically review and meta‐analysis the effects of Aronia melanocarpa consumption on body weight and fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar up to January 2025. Results were reported as weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random effects model. Heterogeneity among studies was evaluated with the Cochrane Q test and I‐squared ( I ² ), and subgroup analysis was performed to identify specific sources of heterogeneity. Results: Seven studies were identified and included in this meta‐analysis. The findings revealed no significant reductions in FBS (WMDs: 0.05 mmol/L, 95% CI: −0.05 to 0.16, p = 0.341), body weight (BW) (WMDs: −0.66 kg, 95% CI: −2.54, 1.22, p = 0.494), body mass index (BMI) (WMDs: 0.18 kg/m ² , 95% CI: −0.17, 0.53, p = 0.494), and waist circumference (WC) (WMDs: 0.63 cm, 95% CI: −1.18 to 2.44, p = 0.493) in the Aronia melanocarpa treatment group. Additionally, subgroup analysis of the included randomised controlled trials showed no significant effects of Aronia melanocarpa consumption on BW and BMI. Conclusion: The present meta‐analysis indicates that Aronia berry consumption does not affect the aforementioned variables. However, further clinical data and research into the mechanisms of Aronia melanocarpa are needed to better understand its potential benefits on glycemic markers and anthropometric measures.

Background: Recent human studies have indicated the beneficial effects of yacon on diabetes and metabolic syndrome; however, no meta‐analysis has investigated the effects of yacon on glycemic control and lipid profiles. Methods: Searches were conducted in five databases—PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library—and relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) until June 2024. The random‐effects model was employed to compute the effect size, thereafter represented as a weighted mean difference (WMD) and a 95% confidence interval (CI). This study's registration number in PROSPERO is CRD420251028504. Results: This study integrated seven RCTs with 239 participants. The results demonstrated that yacon consumption had no statistically significant effects on fasting blood sugar (FBS, p = 0.33), insulin levels ( p = 0.76), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR, p = 0.42), total cholesterol (TC, p = 0.17), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL, p = 0.12), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL, p = 0.42), or triglycerides (TG, p = 0.75). However, subgroup studies indicated that yacon consumption reduced FBS levels over an exceeding 8‐week duration in both sexes and in persons over 40. Furthermore, yacon intake resulted in a decrease in LDL‐cholesterol levels for more than 8 weeks, particularly in women and individuals over 40. Additionally, it led to a decrease in LDL‐cholesterol levels among women and individuals over 40 who consumed yacon for more than 8 weeks, and HDL‐cholesterol levels increased in those aged 40 and above. Conclusion: Overall, this meta‐analysis indicates that yacon use in adults does not lead to significant improvements in lipid profiles or glycemic parameters.

Background: Kefir, a traditional fermented milk beverage, has been increasingly promoted for its various health benefits. This systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to assess the effects of kefir on blood pressure and C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels. Methods: A literature search was conducted using databases such as ISI Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed for articles published until January 2025, with no restrictions. A random‐effects meta‐analysis was conducted for all key outcome measures. The inverse‐variance weighted mean difference (WMD) was calculated with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: A total of seven RCTs, comprising 385 subjects, were included in the meta‐analysis. We involved RCTs conducted on adult participants (over 18 years old). These studies generally administered kefir for at least 2 weeks and compared the outcomes to those in the control group. The findings showed that kefir consumption had no significant impact on systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD: −1.76 mmHg; 95% CI: −5.21, 1.69; p = 0.317), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD: −1.19 mmHg; 95% CI: −3.40, 1.03; p = 0.295) or CRP levels (WMD: −0.17 mg/L; 95% CI: −0.84, 0.49; p = 0.609) compared to those who did not consume kefir. However, subgroup analysis indicated that CRP levels significantly decreased with longer durations of kefir consumption (≥ 8 weeks). Conclusion: Kefir consumption in adults did not result in significant reductions in systolic or diastolic blood pressure or CRP levels. Nonetheless, there is some evidence that long‐term kefir consumption may improve CRP levels over time.