Beneficial Effects of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) Consumption on Anthropometric Measures, Blood Pressure, Glycemic Control, Lipid Profile, and Liver Function Tests in Randomized Controlled Trials: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This review aimed to assess the impact of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) consumption on cardiovascular disease 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/day, were included. Okra supplementation significantly reduced body mass index (BMI) (Standardized Mean Difference [SMD] = -0.70; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: -1.23, -0.16; P = 0.011), fat mass (FM) (SMD = -0.74; 95% CI: -1.13, -0.36; P < 0.001), hip circumference (HC) (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 (FPG) (SMD = -1.07; 95% CI: -1.75, -0.38; P = 0.002), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (SMD = -0.38; 95% CI: -0.71, -0.05; P = 0.023), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (SMD = -0.56; 95% CI: -0.84, -0.29; P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (SMD = -0.32; 95% CI: -0.52, -0.11; P = 0.003), total cholesterol (TC) (SMD = -0.45; 95% CI: -0.74, -0.16; P = 0.003), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (SMD = -0.45; 95% CI: -0.73, -0.17; P = 0.002). Okra supplementation demonstrated significant benefits in improving anthropometric measures, glycemic control, lipid profiles, and liver function tests, suggesting its potential as an adjunct therapy for improving cardiovascular disease risk factors.