THE EFFECTS OF GARLIC SUPPLEMENTATION ON WEIGHT LOSS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS

Background and Aim: Obesity is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Studies have suggested anti-obesity properties of garlic; however, results are inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis was done to summarize data from available randomized clinical trials on the effect of garlic supplementation on body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and Waist Circumference (WC).Methods: The systematic search of Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane library databases using by relevant keywords was conducted until March 2018. Random-effects models was used for pooling effect sizes of eligible studies. Cochran’s Q-test and I2 index were used for assessing heterogeneity. To assess the publication bias, funnel plot and Egger’s tests were used.Results: We found 1241 records in our initial search, of which 13 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with 15 treatment arms were included. Pooled analysis showed that garlic administration might significantly decrease WC (Weighed Mean Difference (WMD): -1.10 cm, 95% CI: -2.13, -0.07, P= 0.03, I2= 0 %). However, garlic intervention had no significant effect on body weight (WMD): -0.17 kg, 95% CI: : -0.75 to 0.39, P= 0.54 , I2= 0%) and BMI (WMD: -0.17 kg/m2, 95% CI: -0.52, 0.16, P= 0.30, I2= 44.5 %) as compared to controls. From Subgroup analysis, it was ascertained that the effect of garlic supplementation on BMI was significant in trials with duration <12 weeks (WMD: -0.58 kg/m2, 95% CI: -1.08, -0.08, I2=19.8%, P= 0.02). Conclusion: The current meta-analysis results suggest that garlic supplementation seems to reduce waist circumference unlike body weight and BMI.

Keywords:

garlic , BMI , weight , obesity , meta-analysis