The effect of pomegranate extract on anthropometric indices, serum lipids, glycemic indicators, and blood pressure in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized double‐blind clinical trial

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease. The beneficial effects of pomegranate have been shown on insulin resistance and obesity, which are linked to NAFLD pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of pomegranate extract in patients with NAFLD. Forty‐four NAFLD patients were randomly assigned to receive two pomegranate extract tablets or placebo for 12\u2009weeks. Anthropometric measurements, serum lipids, glycemic indicators, and blood pressure were assessed at baseline and the end of the study. Pomegranate was associated with a reduction in the total cholesterol (p ˂ .001), triglyceride (p ˂ .001), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C)‐to‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) ratio (p ˂ .003), fasting blood sugar (p ˂ .001), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (p = .02), diastolic blood pressure (p = .04), weight (p ˂ .001), body mass index (p ˂ .001), and waist circumference (p = .002), as compared to placebo. A significant increase was observed in serum HDL‐C (p ˂ .001) after intervention with the pomegranate extract. However, no significant difference was shown between the two groups in serum insulin and LDL‐C. The pomegranate extract supplement could be used as a complementary therapy along with existing therapies to improve glycemic indicators, serum lipids, anthropometric indices, and blood pressure in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver.