The Effect of Psyllium Consumption on Weight, Body Mass Index, Lipid Profile, and Glucose Metabolism in Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Dose‐response Meta‐analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Water‐soluble dietary fibers have been shown to improve lipid profile and glucose metabolism in diabetes. The aim of this study was to review the effects of psyllium consumption on weight, body mass index, lipid profiles, and glucose metabolism in diabetic patients in randomized controlled trials. A comprehensive systematic search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Sciences, Cochrane, and Scopus by two independent researchers up to August 2019 without any time and language restrictions. The DerSimonian and Laird random‐effects model method performed to calculate the pooled results. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trial design, adult subjects, and studies reporting the mean differences with the 95% confidence interval for outcome. Eight studies containing nine arms with 395 participants were identified and included in final analysis. Combined results found a significant reduction in triglycerides, low‐density lipoprotein, fasting blood sugar, and hemoglobin A1c following psyllium consumption (weighted mean differences [WMD]: −19.18 mg/dl, 95% CI [−31.76, −6.60], I 2 = 98%), (WMD: −8.96 mg/dl, 95% CI [−13.39, −4.52], I 2 = 97%), (WMD: −31.71 ml/dl, 95% CI [−50.04, −13.38], I 2 = 97%), and (WMD: −0.91%, 95% CI [−1.31, −0.51], I 2 = 99%), respectively. There was no significant change in high‐density lipoprotein, body mass index, cholesterol, and weight. In conclusion, the results demonstrated a significant reduction in triglycerides, low‐density lipoprotein, fasting blood sugar, and hemoglobin A1c by psyllium intervention among diabetic patients.