The Impact of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Supplementation on Diabetes and Obesity Biomarkers in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Abstract

Conflicting results have been reported regarding the effects of okra on diabetes biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes. These inconsistencies may stem from factors such as dosage, intervention duration, and study design. To address these discrepancies, this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate the effects of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) supplementation on diabetes and obesity markers in patients with type 2 diabetes. Relevant studies published up to July 15, 2024, were identified through comprehensive searches in databases including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed/Medline, and Embase. Studies were included if they assessed the effects of okra supplementation on diabetes and obesity biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes. A random-effects model was employed to calculate effect sizes, reported as weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of six eligible RCTs was included in the final analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that okra supplementation significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG) (WMD: -21.72 mg/dL, 95% CI: -36.86 to -6.58, p = 0.005) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (WMD: -0.42%, 95% CI: -0.64 to -0.19, p < 0.001). However, no significant effects were observed on insulin levels (WMD: 0.54 μU/mL, 95% CI: -1.03 to 2.12, p = 0.498), insulin resistance as assessed by HOMA-IR (WMD: -0.31, 95% CI: -1.37 to 0.75, p = 0.566), body mass index (BMI) (WMD: -0.24 kg/m², 95% CI: -0.62 to 0.14, p = 0.220), or body weight (WMD: -0.83 kg, 95% CI: -2.55 to 0.87, p = 0.338). This systematic review and meta-analysis is the first to confirm the positive effects of okra supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, specifically by reducing FBG and HbA1c levels.