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Beneficial effects of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) consumption on anthropometric measures, blood pressure, glycaemic control, lipid profile and liver function tests in randomised controlled trials: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2025

Ali Jafari Open the ORCID record for Ali Jafari [Opens in a new window] ,
Helia Mardani ,
Bahare Parsi Nezhad ,
Alireza Alaghi Open the ORCID record for Alireza Alaghi [Opens in a new window]  and
Amirhossein Sahebkar Open the ORCID record for Amirhossein Sahebkar [Opens in a new window]
Ali Jafari
Affiliation:
Student Research Committee, Department of Community Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
Helia Mardani
Affiliation:
Student Research Committee, Department of Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
Bahare Parsi Nezhad
Affiliation:
Student Research Committee, Department of Nutrition, School of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Alireza Alaghi
Affiliation:
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Expert Group (SRMEG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
Amirhossein Sahebkar*
Affiliation:
Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
*
Corresponding author: Amirhossein Sahebkar; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

This review aimed to assess the impact of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) consumption on CVD risk factors. Relevant studies were identified through electronic searches of databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL and EMBASE, up to January 2025. Twelve trials involving 770 participants with interventions ranging from 2 to 12 weeks and doses varying from 125 to 40 000 mg/d were included. Okra supplementation significantly reduced BMI (standardised mean difference (SMD) = −0·70; 95 % CI −1·23, −0·16; P = 0·011), fat mass (SMD = −0·74; 95 % CI −1·13, −0·36; P < 0·001), hip circumference (SMD = −0·85; 95 % CI −1·41, −0·28; P = 0·003), weight (SMD = −0·77; 95 % CI −1·42, −0·11; P = 0·022), fasting insulin (SMD = −0·35; 95 % CI −0·63, −0·07; P = 0·013), fasting plasma glucose (SMD = −1·07; 95 % CI −1·75, −0·38; P = 0·002), HbA1c (SMD = −0·38; 95 % CI −0·71, −0·05; P = 0·023), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (SMD = −0·56; 95 % CI −0·84, −0·29; P < 0·001), LDL-cholesterol (SMD = −0·32; 95 % CI −0·52, −0·11; P = 0·003), total cholesterol (SMD = −0·45; 95 % CI −0·74, −0·16; P = 0·003) and aspartate aminotransferase (SMD = −0·45; 95 % CI −0·73, −0·17; P = 0·002). Okra supplementation demonstrated significant benefits in improving anthropometric measures, glycaemic control, lipid profiles and liver function tests, suggesting its potential as an adjunct therapy for improving CVD risk factors.

Keywords

OkraAbelmoschusAnthropometric indicesLipid profileGlycaemic indicesLiver function
Type
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , First View , pp. 1 - 28
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society

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