The association between carotenoids and subjects with overweight or obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#animals #body-mass-index #body-weight #carotenoids #cryptoxanthins

The association between carotenoids and subjects with overweight or obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Yao et al., 2021 | Food Funct | Meta Analysis

Citation

Yao Nan, Yan Shoumeng, ... Cui Weiwei. The association between carotenoids and subjects with overweight or obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Food Funct. 2021-Jun-08;12(11):4768-4782. doi:10.1039/d1fo00004g

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Excess body weight, including overweight and obesity, is one of the major factors influencing human health, and plays an important role in the global burden of disease. Carotenoids serve as precursors of vitamin A-related retinoids, and are considered to have potential effects on many diseases. However, the influence of carotenoids on people with excess body weight is unclear. METHODS: This meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of carotenoids on overweight or obese subjects utilizing the available evidence. We searched PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and EMBASE databases up to September 2020. Random effects models were used to calculate the standard mean differences (SMDs) and odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: A total of seven randomized controlled trials and eight observational studies met the inclusion criteria and contained 28 944 subjects and data on multiple carotenoid subgroups, including lycopene, astaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, and β-carotene. In all included Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), the intervention duration was 20 days at the shortest and 16 weeks at the longest, and the range of intervention doses was 1.2-60 mg d-1. Our study found that the insufficiency of serum carotenoids was a risk factor for overweight and obesity (OR = 1.73, 95% CI [1.57, 1.91], p < 0.001). Moreover, carotenoid supplementation was significantly associated with body weight reductions (SMD = -2.34 kg, 95% CI [-3.80, -0.87] kg, p < 0.001), body mass index decrease (BMI, SMD = -0.95 kg cm-2, 95% CI [-1.88, -0.01] kg cm-2, p < 0.001) and waist circumference losses (WC, SMD = -1.84 cm, 95% CI [-3.14, -0.54]cm, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In summary, the carotenoids show promising effects in overweight or obese subjects. Additional data from large clinical trials are needed.

Key Findings

A total of seven randomized controlled trials and eight observational studies met the inclusion criteria and contained 28 944 subjects and data on multiple carotenoid subgroups, including lycopene, astaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, and β-carotene. In all included Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), the intervention duration was 20 days at the shortest and 16 weeks at the longest, and the range of intervention doses was 1.2-60 mg d-1. Our study found that the insufficiency of serum carotenoi

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 944
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Body Mass Index
  • Body Weight
  • Carotenoids
  • Cryptoxanthins
  • Databases, Factual
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Obesity
  • Overweight
  • Waist Circumference
  • Weight Loss
  • beta Carotene

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-a

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09