Effect of moringa leaves powder on body weight, glycemic status, lipid profile, and blood pressure in overweight individuals with hyperlipidemia

Main Article Content

Maria Munir https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8403-7831
Imran Khan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7241-7823
Nayef Shabbab Almutairi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3721-2264
Aeshah Hamdan Almutairi https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5813-7319
Bilal Khan https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0492-0204
Najma Mehboob https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1729-4547

Keywords

Cholesterol, BMI, Sphygmomanometer, HDL, Triglycerides

Abstract

Moringa leaf powder has demonstrated beneficial effects on body weight, lipid profiles, and blood pressure in animal studies. However, research on the impact of moringa on these parameters in humans is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of moringa on body weight, glycemic status, lipid profile, and blood pressure in human subjects. The study was designed as a randomized controlled parallel clinical trial. A total of 40 overweight, hyperlipidemic subjects (both sexes), aged 30 to 60 years, were included. Participants were assigned to either the moringa group (n=20) or the control group. The moringa group received capsules containing 0.5 g of powdered moringa leaves, while the control group received capsules containing 0.5 g of corn starch, both administered twice a day for 12 weeks. Additionally, both groups were instructed to engage in moderate-intensity physical activity for 40 to 60 minutes. Anthropometric measurements, including weight, BMI, and waist circumference, were taken at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. Dietary intake was assessed using the 24-hour dietary recall method at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Venous blood (5 ml) was collected at both time points to determine biochemical parameters, including lipid profile and blood glucose levels. Blood pressure was measured with a sphygmomanometer at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. The findings revealed a significant reduction in carbohydrate, energy, and cholesterol intake in the moringa group compared to baseline values. Body weight, BMI, and waist circumference (WC) were significantly lower (P≤0.05) in the treatment group than in the control group. Additionally, there were significant differences (P≤0.05) in blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and LDL and HDL cholesterol levels between the treatment and control groups. The findings of this study indicated that a 1 g dose of moringa over 12 weeks effectively reduced body weight, blood pressure, triglycerides, and LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, while a nonsignificant reduction in total cholesterol was observed in overweight subjects with hyperlipidemia. Therefore, moringa may serve as a complementary treatment alongside existing therapies to improve lipid profiles in hyperlipidemic patients.

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