Brazilian green propolis effect on biochemical parameters and dietary intake in people living with diabetes

Objective: To evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with Brazilian green propolis-BrGrProp on biochemical parameters and dietary intake in People Living with Diabetes − PLWD. Method: Randomized double-blind study performed for thirty days. PLWD (n = 62/Phase-1: PLWD supplemented with BrGrProp (G1/n = 31) and another treated with Manihot esculenta starch (Placebo/n = 31). From this group, 22 PLWD (G2) participated in the study being treated with BrGrProp, characterized as Phase-2. PLWD received capsules (2× 500 mg/day) of BrGrProp or Placebo. Fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol and fractions, pyruvic glutamic transaminase, oxalacetic glutamic transaminase, gamma glutamyl transferase, and dietary intake data were determined at the beginning and end of the study. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 21/Minitab-17/Prisma 7.0. Results: Phase-1: no significant changes were observed in the analyzed parameters. Phase 2: Improvement in glycemic parameters (FBG and HbA1c) and most lipid parameters (TC, LDL, HDL and TG), with reduction in the level of Hb1Ac (p = 0.023), increase in the level of HDL (p = 0.048) and in the food intake of the PLWD. The indicators of liver function did not show significant changes. Conclusion: BrGrProp in the diet generates beneficial effects for diabetics, characterized by improvement of HbA1c and HDL parameters, without causing detectable harmful changes.