Dates fruit effects on dyslipidemia among patients with Type-2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials

Dyslipidemias are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and other comorbidities. The focus on food and nutrition to prevent and treat cardiovascular risk factors including dyslipidemia is a paradigm shift. This is the first meta-analysis to assess the association of dates fruit and dyslipidemia in Type-2 diabetes. The study aimed to assess the same among patients with Type-2 diabetes.

Six databases were searched for relevant articles from inception to March 2024. We included randomized trials, studies with other methods, and those conducted among healthy people were excluded. A structured checklist including the author's name, country, year of publication, study type, duration of the study, lipid profile at baseline and after-dates fruit consumption, age, and gender of participants, type of dates, and the amount consumed.

Out of the 448 studies retrieved, fourteen cohorts from four studies (298 participants with Type-2 diabetes) were included. Dates fruit reduced cholesterol, odd ratio, -0.87, 95% CI, -1.39--0.35, P-value, 0.001, and I for heterogeneity=90%. No significant changes were observed on low-density lipoprotein (odd ratio, -0.31, 95% CI, -0.65-0.03, and P-value, 0.08), triglycerides (odd ratio, -0.77, 95% CI, -2.17--0.63, P-value 0.28), and high-density lipoproteins (odd ratio, 0.03, 95% CI, -0.13-0.19, P-value, 0.69). The I for heterogeneity were=99%, 95%, and 65% respectively.

Dates fruit could reduce total cholesterol, with a non-significant reduction in low-density lipoproteins. No significant effect was evident regarding triglycerides and high-density lipoproteins. Further larger studies with a high selection of controls and dates are needed.