The Effect of Garlic Powder Supplementation on Appetite Control and Cardiometabolic Indices in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a serious health care challenge. The authors evaluated the effect of garlic powder supplementation on appetite control and cardiometabolic indices in patients with NAFLD. Methods: This double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted for 12 weeks in ninety patients with NAFLD. The participants were randomly assigned to receive 1600 mg/d garlic powder (treatment group) or 1600 mg/d starch (placebo group). Appetite and cardiometabolic indices such as atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), castelli risk index II (CRI-II), atherogenic coefficient (AC), and cardiometabolic index (CMI) were assessed at baseline, middle and after intervention. Results: A total of 88 participants completed the trial. No difference was found between groups in baseline values of appetite parameters, AIP, AC and CMI. Only CRI-II was significantly higher in the treatment group (P=0.01). After intervention, the treatment group compared to the placebo group showed significant improvements in hunger (P<0.001), fullness (P=0.001), desire to eat (P=0.002), ability to eat (P<0.001), AIP (P<0.001), CRI-II (P<0.001), AC (P<0.001), and CMI (P<0.001). Conclusions: Garlic improves appetite and cardiometabolic indices.